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Abstract
Moisture management lies at the heart of successful green roof design. All designers must 1) consider the demand of the vegetation for moisture retention, and 2) plan for the efficient discharge of excess water during large storm events. For irrigated projects, the designer must also determine the most efficient means of supplementing water to the plants. Ideally, all projects will begin with a goal of eliminating the need for irrigation. Generally, this is possible in all but semi-arid climates. The key to eliminating, or at least reducing,water requirements is the appropriate selection of the green roof media. For proper moisture management the media must: 1. Efficiently absorb and retain water 2. Be readily drained; 3. Offer a high void ratio (air volume). When irrigation is desired in an extensive green roof system, the best solution is to furnish the water at the bottom of the green roof profile. In all instances the goal is to minimize water usage and to encourage plants to develop their root mass at the bottom of the profile where temperature and moisture conditions are most stable. This mimics conditions in nature.
Moisture management lies at the heart of successful green roof design. All designers must 1) consider the demand of the vegetation for moisture retention, and 2) plan for the efficient discharge of excess water during large storm events. For irrigated projects, the designer must also determine the most efficient means of supplementing water to the plants. Ideally, all projects will begin with a goal of eliminating the need for irrigation. Generally, this is possible in all but semi-arid climates. The key to eliminating, or at least reducing,water requirements is the appropriate selection of the green roof media. For proper moisture management the media must: 1. Efficiently absorb and retain water 2. Be readily drained; 3. Offer a high void ratio (air volume). When irrigation is desired in an extensive green roof system, the best solution is to furnish the water at the bottom of the green roof profile. In all instances the goal is to minimize water usage and to encourage plants to develop their root mass at the bottom of the profile where temperature and moisture conditions are most stable. This mimics conditions in nature.
Date
5/2003
5/2003
Author(s)
Charlie Miller
Charlie Miller
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
green roofs; moisture retention
green roofs; moisture retention