We (US Army) had a gizmo that relied on expansive foam and fabric to provide a structural basis for overhead cover for a fighting position - late cold-war stuff, oriented at the usual scenario. I've tried to recall if I ever actually saw one... maybe. Anyway, IIRC, imagine a giant arched air matress with the tubes filled with PU foam. Once in place over the hole, pile on dirt until a meter or so of earth is on it, etc.

I was not impressed with it - logistical headache, cost, questions in my mind about real effectiveness VS "looking good", etc.

You could take an ultra-light view of that sort of thing or the "foam dome" approach that I think you're after - externally applied foam over a fabric form. My guess is that it's going to take a lot more than one can to accomplish what you're after.

But I think that you are onto a cool idea - it's got me thinking about how improvisation with natural materials and expansive foam could help extend safety and comfort in some scenarios.

Take pictures! I want to see what you come up with.

Regards,

Tom

I will soon as I get er done!

I wonder, does this qualify as a Macgyverism? I suppose it would if I were running from villains and needed a place to hide out and saw an old tarp and a box of spray foam cans sitting behind a tree or a rock somewhere.

Benjammin, it is fun seeing what others are dreaming up and as one put it "thinking outside the box".

I have seen another form of ultra-light shelter that may have been discussed here called the Alpha Tent. Basically a poncho and two tent pols. Here is a LINK to it. The two poles would probably be lighter than the can of Great Stuff, and it would be reusable, too.

I will be interested in what you come up with.

Ready

"...it can also be emitted as an airborne spray..."

All I've seen is the straw thing attached to the top of the can. Where do you get the spray? What brand? I've looked for something like that and have never seen any. Tell, tell!

Sue

Well, I've seen them or heard of them from back when I was using the bigger two bottle spray setups. Now it seems harder to locate. When I find a distributor I will let you know.

Wierd.