Hello Chris,
The maximum safe strut length depends on many factors and, at a dome diameter of 15 to 18 meters, I'd recommend submitting your plan to an engineer for structural analysis, especially if the dome is to be used as a residence, office or public building. Factors that could or do determine strut length include wind load, seismic risk, wood species and grade used for struts, cross-sectional area of struts, hub design and composition (e.g., steel, aluminum, wood, plastic), spherical profile (e.g., 7/15 versus 8/15 truncation), the use of in-triangle blocking, type of paneling/sheathing) and method of attachment.
I've worked on a few large-dome projects, mostly on the design side (calculations). In all but one case, structural engineers were involved. Here's a link to images of a 15.5 meter dome in Vermont, made with wood struts. (The photos were taken a few years ago, at the start of construction. The building is now finished.) There are two dome frames, one inside the other, connected by wood gussets. The owner-builders used the services of a structural engineering company and an architect.
If you were to use a flat-based 6v icosa design for, say, a 9/18 (hemispheric) dome 18 meters in diameter, your longest strut length would be 2 meters. You mentioned that your struts have a diameter of only 3 cm. Are they bamboo poles or solid wood? In either case, this is probably not strong enough to build that type of dome.
If you post more details of the dome size, intended use, and materials you plan to use, maybe members of this group, myself included, can provide specific suggestions and dimensional information (e.g., lengths and angles).
- Gerry in Quebec