摘要
Domes are popularly used for column free areas. They are employed as covers to reservoirs and treatment units and also as containment in nuclear reactors. Inverted domes are popular as foundations. Structures are built with an intended end use for a specified utility period. The functional requirement is to serve the purpose and the structural requirement constitutes stability, strength, safety, serviceability and durability. Satisfaction of these requirements at affordable costs is the goal of structural optimization. This paper demonstrates the need and scope for optimization of domes by formulating and solving the problem by use of calculus （volume of material is the objective function being minimized using first principles of calculus）. A simple but elegant method is suggested for determination of wind stresses by statics which compares very well with that obtained by rigorous method.
