What is geodesic dome frequency? What does it refer to, and how can I tell which dome frequency I need?

If you're new to the geodesic dome world, you're going to find a lot of new terms and terminology that make talking about geodomes and spheres more specific. dome frequency, is a simple concept that requires a little bit of analytical thinking, but is very important to understand in order to choose the right geodesic dome configuration for your needs.

In common language, the frequency of a geodome refers to the repetition of an occurrence. Since geodesic dome designs are made up of triangle patterns, recognize that the patterns repeat. Specifically, consider the base triangle pattern that repeats itself over and over as the dome is built. Take a dome with a 10' diameter. In the following dome frequencies, each larger triangle is the same size, but as the geodesic dome frequency goes up, so does the number of subdivided triangles - which equates to your struts - and the corresponding number of hubs that connect it all together.

Notice that the main triangle is surrounded on all corners by the 5-way hubs. 

Given the same thickness of PVC (or whatever material you’re using for the struts), a dome of higher frequency is always stronger than a dome of lower frequency.  It is also ‘rounder’, because the angles between triangles are getting smaller.