Make a hemisphere/dome from flat segments? Rewritten version after testing (with thanks for all suggestions so far).

Here's the partial solution of what I'm trying to do in blender 2.8:

This is a slowly collapsing version of the more solid/crisp effect I'm hoping to produce and has been made with the cloth modifier on with structural and bend settings around 400.

The initial shape is shown as follows and should be producing a rather pointed 'dome' effect, as per the picture.


The segments have to curve to an apex and fit together perfectly.

Here's my starting point for the above cloth sim version.


Can anybody suggest a method of convincing Blender to curve two planes (up to a total of six for the full 'dome') so that they fit together along an edge, bending to accommodate the curve and without flapping all over the place as per the cloth sim?

I do understand that there are other ways of creating a similar shape, but the first prize is using the above idea.

Edit: The Domed tent example is very similar in effect needed, but how to ensure the panel form is simply bent, not stretched?

Blend File
I don't think this topology is the best to make a dome, but here is a solution:


Make sure you've applied the scale of your object.
Shift a bit your mesh from its origin.
Create a curve which follows approximately the curve you want. Check the direction, put its origin at its bottom.
Give your mesh a Curve modifier with the curve as Object.
Create an empty at the same point as the mesh origin.
Give your mesh an Array modifier, give it a Count of 6. Enable Merge, choose the Object Offset mode with the empty as Object.
Rotate the empty 60° on the Z axis. The object should rotate around the Z axis.
Shift the mesh a bit so that its bottom stick to its duplications bottom.
Edit the curve so that the sides of the mesh stick to its duplications.
Edit the object: Select some horizontal edges and scale a bit with the Proportional Editing enabled, so that the vertices of the mesh stick to its duplications.
Once you're glad you can apply the modifiers and remove the doubles (but keep a copy somewhere).
You'll have to make some additional editing to clean it a bit, create some nice edges with bevels, and to avoid artefacts. I've also used a W > Smooth. You may want to work only on 1/6 of the dome and re-use an array to duplicate it again.