A6_5 Floating Cities

Abstract

In this paper we describe the construction of a floating habitat as described by Buckminster Fuller in the 1930’s. We first examine a a 2 km wide sphere that has been heated by 1◦C and find it generates a lift of 1.64×108 N. We further examine the feasibility of carbon nanotubes as a construction material and find that they are able to withstand the tension from the interior stresses of the sphere. Lastly, we consider the general case with variable radii and temperature, and find that even the smaller spheres can house thousands of people.