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Title
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Wind Investigations of Low-slope Roof Assemblies - A Researcher Prospective
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Wind Investigations of Low-slope Roof Assemblies - A Researcher Prospective
Date
9/2011
9/2011
Author(s)
A Baskaran; D Roodvoets
A Baskaran; D Roodvoets
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
hurricane; edges; internal pressure; resistance; dynamic testing; wind load
hurricane; edges; internal pressure; resistance; dynamic testing; wind load
Abstract
Wind-induced failure is one of the major contributors to insurance claims, and it is increasing. To address these growing concerns, the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) started a wind investigation program (WIP) to investigate the field performance of roof assemblies after Hurricanes Charley, Katrina, Ike and Ivan and factually describe roof assembly performance, as well as modes of damage. As part of this program, this paper focuses on the investigation of low-slope roof assemblies. The objective is not to present several photographs and information related to specific roof configurations. Rather, efforts were made to scrutinize photographs and field observations toward developing a generic relationship to benefit the North American roofing industry. This paper amalgamates the findings from all four hurricanes in three important take-home messages that are found to be critical in the failure of the roof systems as follows: 1) Understanding the wind aerodynamics on roof edges 2) Effect of the internal pressure buildup on roof failures 3) Need for wind-resistance design of rooftop equipment The paper also extends and broadens the roofing knowledge base by comparing and contrasting the lesson learned from these hurricanes regarding wind-uplift performance, with the research progress made during the past two decades in North America.
Wind-induced failure is one of the major contributors to insurance claims, and it is increasing. To address these growing concerns, the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) started a wind investigation program (WIP) to investigate the field performance of roof assemblies after Hurricanes Charley, Katrina, Ike and Ivan and factually describe roof assembly performance, as well as modes of damage. As part of this program, this paper focuses on the investigation of low-slope roof assemblies. The objective is not to present several photographs and information related to specific roof configurations. Rather, efforts were made to scrutinize photographs and field observations toward developing a generic relationship to benefit the North American roofing industry. This paper amalgamates the findings from all four hurricanes in three important take-home messages that are found to be critical in the failure of the roof systems as follows: 1) Understanding the wind aerodynamics on roof edges 2) Effect of the internal pressure buildup on roof failures 3) Need for wind-resistance design of rooftop equipment The paper also extends and broadens the roofing knowledge base by comparing and contrasting the lesson learned from these hurricanes regarding wind-uplift performance, with the research progress made during the past two decades in North America.