per se are well known in the art and do not constitute an aspect of the invention the preparation of articles of extreme strength is facilitated by the provision of oriented tows or continuous fibers of graphite which maximize strength in specific directions a clear plastic which exhibits high strength weight characteristics and environmental stability is smma the light transmitting characteristics of smma are generally considered better than conventional glass the load handling capabilities of this plastic are excellent and the smma compositions readily available to those of ordinary skill in the art retain their physical properties even after exposure to high radiation levels which may be a consideration for the construction of domed cities in non terrestrial environments or in an changing environment on earth these two materials can be combined in a truss supported dome design illustrated in fig8 and 9 thus a plurality of trusses 103 prepared from laminated graphite reinforced composites are spaced around the dome circumference between individual trusses panels of clear smma 104 are provided locked into the trusses the resulting dome has extremely high strength characteristics with a low materials weight load such that it can withstand the enormous crushing pressure described above for the maximum snow loading conditions for ease of construction a central graphite tower 105 may be provided at the center of the dome each of the trusses 103 may be 34 locked in 34 to the tower and the panels of smma lifted and fitted in by crane or similar device it is immediately clear that the number of trusses provided is variable and will change according to the strength and stiffness characteristics of the material employed in construction of the truss and the loading conditions to which the dome is exposed as.