This is a view of the structure that keeps snow off Rosie, my tractor. This is covered with cheapo blue tarps, and can withstand any amount of snow Lake Superior bestows. The structure utilizes the "Octet-truss" system. Bucky Fuller gave mankind this architectural system. A. G. Bell gave mankind the same system a few years earlier. Both men wore many scientific hats, both were true humanitarians too.Traditionally Fuller is given credit.The "octet truss" is basically the combination of two Platonic solids with their edges expressed as struts.The two solids are the octahedron (eight faces), and the tetrahedron(four faces).Plato actually was responsible for inspiring his students to develop the concept of the "Platonic Solids", so credit is given to him by use of his name.
The octet-truss is fractal in nature, so the basic octahedron and tetrahedron can be repeatedly seen as you add more and more parts. I utilized this property and made half of a big tetrahedron,and removed what didn't compose the outside shell. This left a big pyramid.All of the struts are the same length, two feet.The struts are cut from 3/4" conduit, with flattened ends.The holes for bolting the struts together are drilled utilizing a jig to maintain consistent separation which is mandatory. Curious onlookers ask "What is it?".I reply that it is an antenna for communicating with other societies 'out there'.Most believe. I let them know that's just a joke.
Frank