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Time Travel Under Concrete Dome: Reverting Construction to Breathing

Concrete dome in Schandorf is being expanded by experts from TU Vienna, transforming it into a comprehensive exhibit. Visitors will embark on a temporal journey initiating from spring 2026, progressively moving back 8,000 years into the past.

Time Travel Under Concrete Dome: Reverting Construction to Breathing

Unleashing the Secrets of the Past: TU Vienna's Pneumatic Concrete Dome

Get ready to step into a marvel of modern engineering, as a vibrant concrete dome promises to reveal ancient treasures hidden under the earth mounds of the Hallstatt period. This groundbreaking structure, now standing tall in Schandorf, is the epitome of progress, transforming raw concrete into a complex masterpiece using just air, ropes, and mathematical brilliance.

Unearthing the Past in Schandorf: A Multimedia Showcase of Ancient WondersThe Schandorf exhibition space, towering eight meters high and extending 20 meters wide at the end, is at the heart of a captivating archaeological project. Titled as the "Masterplan Archaeology," this ongoing project seeks to unearth the rich historical treasures buried in the Schandorf area, known to house 285 grave mounds, 230 of which reside in the Burgenland region. With the potential for over 400 ancient relics, this area promises to reveal untold stories of the past.

Delving into the Past: Schandorf's Multimedia Exhibition Space

The ancient hill grave field was extensively researched as part of the Interreg project "Archeon" and serves as the foundation for the modern presentation of this unique site. Dedicated to the Older Iron Age and the Hallstatt culture, this exhibition will place the archaeological treasures of the region in a supra-regional and culturally bridging context, aiming to disseminate knowledge and entice tourists.

Rebelling Against Tradition: Building from the Inside Out

The key to bringing this ancient past to life is the multimedia exhibition space housed within the giant concrete dome. Initially, a concrete foundation was created and an airbag was laid under the concrete slabs. The most thrilling part of the construction process came last Monday, marking the implementation of the TU Vienna's unique "Pneumatic Wedge Method."

Unveiling the TU Vienna's Pneumatic Wedge Method

In a nutshell, this innovative construction method involves creating a blow-up concrete dome. The concrete foundation consists of several segments, with wedge-shaped pieces cut out to accommodate the eventual curvature. After curing, an airtight plastic body is inflated under the slab, while a peripheral steel rope pulls the concrete together from the outside. As the concrete bends, countless small cracks form, but these are of no concern for the dome's stability, as every stone holds the others, ensuring the construction remains strong.

Domes with a diameter of up to 50 meters are possible with this groundbreaking technology. Although very tight radii are more challenging, they have been successfully tested. Local radii of three meters can be easily achieved, and the procedure has already been patented.

At a height of eight meters and a width of 20 meters, the Schandorf project lies within the moderate-sized range of endeavors undertaken by TU Wien. Local and state authorities see immense potential in the multimedia exhibition space, believing it has the power to draw tourists to the Burgenland region and enlighten them about the area's fascinating history.

Source: PEKO

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  1. The Schandorf exhibition space, a marvel of modern engineering and progressive concrete construction, is situated in the Burgenland region of Austria, within the ongoing "Masterplan Archaeology" project, aimed at unearthing ancient treasures buried in the Schandorf area.
  2. TU Vienna's innovative "Pneumatic Wedge Method" was employed in the construction of the Schandorf multimedia exhibition space, a giant concrete dome, through the ingenious process of inflating an airtight plastic body under the concrete slabs, and pulling the concrete together from the outside, forming small cracks that do not compromise the overall stability of the structure.
  3. Local and state authorities in the United States have expressed interest in replicating the multimedia exhibition space's success in Schandorf, Austria, believing it to have the power to draw tourists and enlighten them about the region's rich history, drawing parallels between the ancient treasures unearthed in Schandorf and the buried secrets that may be waiting to be discovered in American soil.
Researchers at TU Vienna erect an inflatable concrete dome in Schandorf, transforming it into a multimedia exhibit. From the spring of 2026, attendees can embark on a chronological tour spanning 8,000 years.
Scholars from TU Vienna are pumping up a concrete globe in Schandorf, preparing for a multi-media exhibit. From Spring 2026, attendees will embark on a time-traveling adventure, voyaging back roughly 8,000 years.
Scholars of Vienna Technical University are erecting a media-centric dome in Schandorf, slated for spring 2026. This monumental structure promises an immersive time-travel journey, transporting visitors 8,000 years back in history.

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