BE -1105 Building Design and Construction Lecture Note -06

Roof - Functional purpose

1) Protect the building from weather 2) Make it aesthetically beautiful The function of roof is to protect the building from element of weather. But when we decide on any type of roof or building and once it is completed one sees the raw nature of the material. Sometimes this is not desirable due to the specific use of that building because the mere appearance of the building can promote business for which the building is put up. (E.g. Hotel, Restaurant, casino) In Such instances it is required to make the building aesthetically nice to attract the client some principle applies for other external purposes such as wall, curtain walls etc. The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers, the available roofing materials and the local traditions of construction and wider concepts of architectural design and practice and may also be governed by local or national legislation. The elements in the design of a roof are:

the material the construction the durability

The material of a roof may range from banana leaves, wheaten straw or sea grass to lamininated glass, aluminum sheeting and precast concrete. In many parts of the world ceramic tiles have been the predominant roofing material for centuries The construction of a roof is determined by its method of support and how the underneath space is bridged and whether or not the roof is pitched. The pitch is the angle at which the roof rises from its lowest to highest point. Most domestic architecture, except in very dry regions, has roofs that are sloped, or pitched. The pitch is partly dependent upon stylistic factors, but has more to do with practicalities. Some types of roofing, for example thatch, require a steep pitch in
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order to be waterproof and durable. Other types of roofing, for example pantiles, are unstable on a steeply pitched roof but provide excellent weather protection at a relatively low angle. The durability of a roof is a matter of concern because the roof is often the least accessible part of a building for purposes of repair and renewal, while its damage or destruction can have serious effects.

1 Parts of a roof
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1.1 Support 1.2 Outer layer 1.3 Insulation 1.4 Drainage 1.5 Solar roofs

2 Roof shapes 3 Commercially available roofing materials

Parts of a roof There are two parts to a roof, its supporting structure and its outer skin, or uppermost weatherproof layer. In a minority of buildings, the outer layer is also a self-supporting structure. Outer layer This part of the roof shows great variation dependent upon availability of material. In simple vernacular architecture, roofing material is often vegetation, such as thatches, the most durable being sea grass with a life of perhaps 40 years. In many Asian countries bamboo is used both for the supporting structure and the outer layer where split bammboo stems are laid turned alternately and overlapped. Insulation Some roofing materials, particularly those of natural fibrous material, such as thatch, have excellent insulating properties. For those that do not, extra
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insulation is often installed under the outer layer. In developed countries, the majority of dwellings have a ceiling installed under the structural member of the roof. The purpose is to insulate against heat and cold, noise, dirt and often from the droppings and lice of birds who frequently choose roofs as nesting places. Other forms of insulation are felt or plastic sheeting, sometimes with a reflective surface, installed directly below the tiles or other material; synthetic foam batting laid above the ceiling and recycled paper products and other such materials that can be inserted or sprayed into roof cavities. So called Cool roofs are becoming increasingly popular, and in some cases are mandated by local codes. Cool roofs are defined as roofs with both high reflectivity and high emissivity. Drainage The primary job of most roofs is to keep out water. The large area of a roof repels a lot of water, which must be directed in some suitable way, so that it does not cause damage or inconvenience. Similar problems, although on a very much larger scale, confront the builders of modern commercial properties which often have flat roofs. Because of the very large nature of such roofs, it is essential that the outer skin is of a highly impermeable material. Most industrial and commercial structures have conventional roofs of low pitch. Solar roofs Newer systems include solar shingles which generate electricity as well as cover the roof. There are also solar systems available that generate hot water or hot air and which can also act as a roof covering. More complex systems may carry out all of these functions: generate electricity, recover thermal energy, and also act as a roof covering. Solar systems can be integrated with roofs by:

Integration in the covering of pitched roofs, e.g. solar shingles. Mounting on an existing roof, e.g. solar panel on a tile roof. Integration in a flat roof membrane using heat welding, e.g. PVC.
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Mounting on a flat roof with a construction and additional weight to prevent uplift from wind.

Roof shapes

Gable Cross Gable Lean-to Flat Hipped Roof Cross Hipped Roof Pyramidal

Gable A very triangular roof, the gable allows rain and snow to run off easily.

Cross Gable This is like the gable roof, but has two parts that cross.

Lean-to Similar to a gable roof, as it allows rain and snow to run off easily. This is one of the easiest roofs to build.

Flat A flat roof is exactly that - flat. It is easy to build and uses few materials.

Hipped A low-pitched roof that allows rain and snow to run off easily, the hipped roof also allows for large eaves on a building.

Cross Hipped Similar to a hipped roof, but this roof has two parts that cross.
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Pyramidal A hipped roof that forms a pyramid shape. External finishes for roofs 1) The finish of material use for roof cladding. 2) Various paints in different columns applied from the roof materials (weatherproof paints, aqua proof paints, weather shield paint etc) 3) Burnt clay tiles laid on asbestos 4) PVC courted metal and metal allow roof claddings which gives a self finish Designing a roof finish The designer as to give serious thought to the followings 1) Climatic conditions of the site and its reactions to various roof materials in his mind and the intended roof finishes 2) Aesthetic required by the building to suit his functions 3) Cost aspects of the roof finishes Roof Components Roof frame Roof deck Vapor barrier Insulation Water proofing Roofing material Factors in Design

Roofing

Most important element Protect the structure and occupants Expose to a wide variety of climatic conditions

Factors in selecting types of roof 1) Suitability of the material for the design 2) Probable expansion, Contraction and deflection of the roof deck 3) Durability 4) Fire resistance 5) Decorative feature Commercially available roofing materials The weather proofing material is the topmost or outermost layer, exposed to the weather. Many materials have been used as weather proofing material:

Thatch is roofing made of plant material, in overlapping layers.

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Wheat Straw, widely used in England, France and other parts of Europe. Seagrass, used in coastal areas where there are estuaries such as Scotland. Has a longer life than straw. Claimed to have a life in excess of 60 years.

Shingles, called shakes in North America. Shingles is the generic term for a roofing material that is in many overlapping sections, regardless of the nature of the material. The word is also used specifically to denote shingles made of wood.
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Redcedar. Life expectancy, up to 30 years. However, young growth redcedar has a short life expectancy. High cost. Should be allowed to breathe.[4][5]

Hardwood. Very durable roofing found in Colonial Australian architecture, its use now limited to restorations.

Slate. High cost with a life expectancy of up to 150 years. [6][7] Being a heavy material, the supporting structure must be very robust.

Ceramic tile. High cost, life of 2060 years.

Imbrex and tegula, style dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.

Metal shakes or shingles. Long life. High cost, suitable for roofs of 3/12 pitch or greater. Because of the flexibility of metal, they can be manufactured to lock together, giving durability and reducing assembly time.

Mechanically seamed metal. Long life. High cost, suitable for roofs of low pitch such as 0.5/12 to 3/12 pitch.

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Concrete, usually reinforced with fibres of some sort. Asphalt shingle, made of bitumen embedded in an organic or fiberglass mat, usually covered with colored, man-made ceramic grit. Cheaper than slate or tiles. Various life span expectancies.

Asbestos shingles. Very long lifespan, fireproof and low cost but now rarely used because of health concerns.

Membrane. membrane roofing is in large sheets, generally fused in some way at the joints to form a continuous surface.
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Thermosetting plastic (e.g. EPDM rubber). Synthetic rubber sheets adhered together with contact adhesive or tape. Primary application is big box store with large open areas and little vertical protrusions.

Thermoplastic (e.g. PVC, TPO, CSPE). Plastic sheets welded together with hot air creating one continuous sheet membrane. Can be rewelded with the exception of CSPE. Lends itself well to both big box and small roof application because of its hot air weldability.

Modified bitumen heat welded, asphalt adhered or installed with adhesive. Asphalt is mixed with polymers such as APP or SBS, then applied to fiberglass and/or polyester mat, seams sealed by locally melting the asphalt with heat, hot mopping of asphalt, or adhesive. Lends itself well to all applications.

Built-Up Roof Multiple plies of asphalt saturated organic felt or coated fiberglass felts. Plies of felt are adhered with hot asphalt, coal tar pitch or adhesive.

Sprayed-in-Place Polyurethane Foam (SPUF) Foam sprayed in-place on the roof, and then coated with a wide variety of coatings, or in some instances, covered with gravel.
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Fabric.

Polyester. PTFE, (synthetic fluoropolymer) embedded in fiberglass. Metal roofing. Generally a relatively inexpensive building material.
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Galvanized steel frequently manufactured with wavy corrugations to resist lateral flexing and fitted with exposed fasteners. Widely used for low cost and durability. Sheds are normally roofed with this material. Known as Gal iron or Corro, it was the most extensively used roofing material of 20th century Australia, now replaced in popularity by steel roofing coated with an alloy of zinc and aluminum, claimed to have up to four times the life of galvanized steel.[4][11]

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Standing-seam metal with concealed fasteners. Mechanically seamed metal with concealed fasteners contains sealant in seams for use on very low sloped roofs.

Flat-seam metal with soldered seams.

Shingles & shakes, terra cotta tiles, sheet metal, asbestos cement board are the common materials used in Sri Lanka and many other countries. Sheet metal Basis types Flat Corrugated Flat A sheet-metal roof can take many forms. The common style that you may be most familiar with is the standing-seam metal roof. This roofing product comes in long sheets and the joint between adjacent pieces of the roofing is formed with an interlocking vertical seam that stands above the flat area of the roofing panel. Corrugated Galvanized steel, Al or Zn alum coated

Another very popular material is corrugated metal roofing. This roofing material has a wavy shape and is used on shacks, sheds and sometimes pole buildings. It's not considered as weather tight as other metal-roofing materials when subjected to extreme wind-driven rain. This roofing is extremely do-ityourself friendly, and it tends to work best on roofs that have steep slopes that shed water quickly. Corrugated metal roofing is the only material I would ever suggest a homeowner try to work with, and only on some outbuilding. Structure of roof The loads of the roofs are self weight and imposed loads such as wind load (pressure or suction). The structure should be designed to withstand these loads and transfer these loads to the super structure such as walls ans columns or piers. Generally roof has a structure and the design of the structure varies with system and the material selected for the design. Common structures in Timber frames Gable or lean to frames for tile or sheet roof The Components and their common sizes are Ridge plate Wall plate Beams and props Rafter Reapers or battens 50 x200 75 x100 150x 200 (Depends on span) 50 x 100 25x 50 0r 50x50

Timber trusses in Kin post & etc Hip roof frames for tile or sheet roof The Components and their common sizes are Ridge plate Wall plate Beams and props Hip rafter Valley rafter Rafter Reapers or battens 50 x200 75 x100 150x 200 (Depends on span) 50 x 175 50 x 175 50 x 100 25x 50 0r 50x50
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Timber trusses in Kin post & etc Other types of Roof frames For sheet roofing the purling Roof frame are more economical for many shapes of roofs. The Components and their common sizes are Ridge plate Beams and props Perling Valley rafter Eave Rafter 50 x200 150x 200 (Depends on span) 50 x 150 (depending on span) 50 x 175 (Some designed) 50 x 100 25x 50 0r 50x50

Reapers or battens (Some designs) Roof frames in other material Steel frame Truss, purling (L. C. U), gusset plate,

Beams in standard sections such as I beams Angle bracket, cleats and hooks Flashing sheets (Sketches drawn on the white board during the lecture should be drawn by the student on the hand out) Archt. Lalith de Silva Senior Lecturer Department of Building Economics

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