Geodesic dome construction for lunar habitat

I would think that a lava tube, once the ends are sealed, could be air tightened by pressurizing the space, then releasing some kind of semi-liquid leak-seeking sealer into the atmosphere to migrate to wherever the atmosphere was escaping. Once sealed, youd want to make double sure by coating all interior surfaces with some kind of rubberized or plasticized sealing coating. Then you can fill with air and carry on...

From: giorgio gaviraghi
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:44 AM
To: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spacesettlers] Re: Geodesic dome construction for lunar habitat

If you find lava tubes , the most convenient solution is an inflatable to occupy the protected volume.

A: mailto:spacesettlers%40yahoogroups.com
Inviato: Luned 29 Aprile 2013 17:26
Oggetto: [spacesettlers] Re: Geodesic dome construction for lunar habitat

I would agree on long term, on short term though, using the 'tuna cans' and then using the natural lava tubes thought to be on the moon make sense. Just cap the lava tube entrance, seal for leaks where needed and you have an instant large habitat to expand into.
Brooks

--- In mailto:spacesettlers%40yahoogroups.com, "Doc" wrote:
>
> I believe concrete construction to probably be the most cost effective, long term building material. Monolithic structures that are poured in situ, are not practical in a vacuum. Panels could be cast in a construction shack, cured for a month, vacuumed for water recovery, cured again in the lunar daytime and then assembled. Research has already been done on concrete in a vacuum within the temperature ranges of space, and there is no compromise on strength after long term exposure. The small panel size compared to end result structure means that they could be built in starter size construction shacks such as intermodel containers assembled on a rail pallet, in any number required. Containers could be joined together horizontally and vertically then covered with regolith of a few meters to provide crew sheilding. aggregate would come from the moon with portland provided from earth until cheap and easy methods to produce locally become available.
Any thoughts?