Abstract
Structural engineers from Texas Tech University's Institute for Disaster Research have visited the damage sites of 28 windstorms that have occurred since 1970. Exploiting these unique opportunities to study the effects of winds on roof systems, the investigators have divided roof-system failures into four general types, relating these classic failure types to wind pressures acting on roofs during windstorms. In the first part of this paper, I discuss wind-pressure patterns on buildings. I also discuss the hazard presented to glass windows by windborne roof gravel. The discussion of wind effects on building roofs is based upon analyses of wind loads in several current building codes and standards. The second part of the paper includes pictorial examples of roofing failures and failures to nearby glass panels caused by wind effect. Each of the four general types of roof-system failure and the hazard to glass are discussed and illustrated.
Structural engineers from Texas Tech University's Institute for Disaster Research have visited the damage sites of 28 windstorms that have occurred since 1970. Exploiting these unique opportunities to study the effects of winds on roof systems, the investigators have divided roof-system failures into four general types, relating these classic failure types to wind pressures acting on roofs during windstorms. In the first part of this paper, I discuss wind-pressure patterns on buildings. I also discuss the hazard presented to glass windows by windborne roof gravel. The discussion of wind effects on building roofs is based upon analyses of wind loads in several current building codes and standards. The second part of the paper includes pictorial examples of roofing failures and failures to nearby glass panels caused by wind effect. Each of the four general types of roof-system failure and the hazard to glass are discussed and illustrated.
Date
9/1977
9/1977
Author(s)
Joseph Minor
Joseph Minor
Page(s)
124-133
124-133
Keyword(s)
wind storm; peeling failure; supporting member failure; wind effect; system failure
wind storm; peeling failure; supporting member failure; wind effect; system failure