Ground Anchors and High Winds with a Geodesic Dome.

Ground anchors that are buried in the ground are needed for any dome in a high wind location that is covered with greenhouse plastic or other covering. A chicken coop dome covered in just chicken wire may only need a single stake in the ground for a ground anchor.

If you use concrete blocks to anchor your dome, be aware that we have seen wind pick up a 2v dome with 4 concrete blocks, and throw the dome, blocks and all, 30 feet into a ditch. Luckily, no one was hurt.

A true ground anchor is a much safer, and stronger means to secure your dome to the ground.

You can buy a buried ground anchor kit at Lowes or Home Depot, or you can make them yourself with a metal stake, such as rebar, and concrete. The ground anchor kit at Lowes is rated for 2500 lbs holding strength, which is more than sufficient for a single anchor.

4 anchors are needed to give full stability to the 2V dome in high winds, although 2 anchors can work in normal wind speeds.

For 3V and larger domes in high winds, a ground anchor should be directly connected to every hub that rests on the ground, and ground anchors with guy wires can be attached to the hubs at the top of the first tier for added strength.

The wires from the ground anchor should be securely attached to the center ring of the hub.