Roof Design Principles

– Generally
– Determine early how roof drainage is to be
provided
– The method chosen not only affects the building
design
– Impact floor plan layouts due to chase
requirements.

– Design (To establish the correct roof drainage design)

– Necessary to calculate the rainwater discharge
rate from the roof.
– Involves assessing the rainfall rate and the
effective catchment area.

– Effective Catchment Area (Water drainage

from a roof)
– Rain falling directly onto the roof
– Wind driven rain running off adjacent roofs, walls
and parapets
Roof Design Principles

– Factors to be considered when designing

roof drainage system:
- Rainfall Intensity design rate (l/s/m2)
- Effective Roof Area (ERA) to be drained
(m2).
- Drainage flow capacity
- Size, number and position of outlets.
- Frictional resistances in long gutter runs
and the number of corners.

– This will in-turn be dependent upon:

- The type of roof: Flat or Pitched
- Type of roof coverings
- Rood drainage components
 Roof Design Principles
– Verify that there is a means to discharge storm
water into an underground piping system or
drainage ditch.
– Evaluate the type of roof system to be specified.
– Various manufactures have defined slope and drain
placement requirements included within their
system warranty.
– The physical size, local rainfall rates and the number
& size of interior rainwater discharge components
that can be facilitated within the floor plans,
determine the quantity of roof drains that will be
required.
Roof
– Function of roof:
- Aesthetics
- Thermal
- Moisture
- Comfort
- Ventilation

– Roof Classification based on:

- Construction
- Slope
- Materials
- Roof Drainage System

– Roof Drainage System dependent Upon:

a. Pitched Roof
b. Flat Roof
 PITCHED ROOF

Main Components of a Pitched Roof

– Roof Truss
– Roof Coverings
– Rainwater Drainage System
Pitched Roof
– Constructed in a variety of shapes with slopes of not less than 12.5 degrees slope

– Can be from simple pitched arrangement with external gutters - to a more complex
multi-span construction with valley, hip, parapet or boundary wall gutters.

– Typical roof components:

- Truss
- Insulation
- Roof Coverings
- Roof Drainage

– Features of roof drainage is dependent upon the roof design:

- Gable end
- Valley
- Ridge
- Eaves
- Dormer
- Parapet
Pitched Roof:
Alternative Roof Truss Design

Attic Trusses Bobtail Trusses Cantilever Trusses

Double 'W' Trusses Fan Trusses Fink Trusses

Flat Top Trusses Howe Trusses King Post Trusses

Pitched Roof:
Alternative Roof Truss Design

Mono Trusses Queen Post Trusses Mono Trusses

Mono Trusses Parallel Trusses

Components of Pitched Roof
– Rafters
– Purlins
– Ties
– Battens
– Ceiling Joist
– Sarking Boards
– Dormers
– Thermal Insulation
– Sisalation
Sarking
– Temperate countries - 'sark' the roof with a covering
of timber boards or sheet composite over the rafters.

– The sarking acts as a racking membrane

– Can eliminate the need for timber bracing

– Provide an overall stronger and better insulated roof.

– Exposes the underside of this board and the roof

timbers

– Support the roof insulation material on the top side.

 Dormers
– Dormer roofs (dormers) are external
walls.

– They need to be designed,

engineered and manufactured with
the same care and consideration as
any other wall in the pitch roof
structure.
 Sisalation
– Sisalation is a high caliber
radiant barrier otherwise
called reflective foil
insulation. This item is a
synthesis of aluminium foil
that has been overlaid to
craft paper or fabric that has
been woven.
– Sisalation will help keep the
room cool in summer by
reflecting sun oriented high
temperature that transmits
from the sun. It is a practical
item that aides diminish your
energy utilization in summer
by keeping your building
cooler inside.
 Thermal
Insulation

– Thermal insulation is the

reduction of heat transfer
(the transfer of thermal
energy between objects of
differing temperature)
between objects in thermal
contact or in range of
radiative influence. Thermal
insulation can be achieved
with specially engineered
methods or processes, as well
as with suitable object shapes
and materials.
Roof Coverings: Tile
– Tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material

– Materials: ceramic, stone, porcelain, plastic, metal or even glass.

– Designed mainly to keep out rain

– Traditionally made from locally available materials such as clay or slate.

– Modern materials are concrete and plastic

– Some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze.

– A large number of shapes (or "profiles") of roof tiles have evolved.

– Components: Roof tile, Eaves tile

– Installation considerations: Fixing, interlock, end and side laps

 Tile & Masonry Roofing

– Distinctive appearance and resilient,

fire-retardant qualities,

– Offer style and security.

– Heavier than most other types of

roofing
Roofing Tiles
– Cement-based roofing products are durable and won't catch fire, rot or
be eaten by termites

– Concrete roofing tiles are essentially made from a mixture of cement,

lime, sand and water.
 Sheet Roofing Materials: Corrugated Plastic Roof
Sheets PVC, STEEL & GRP

– There Are many types of steel corrugated

roofing sheets.

– Some are designed to imitate traditional tile

roofs.

– These sheets have been galvanised and the

coated with either Polyester or PVC to give it
double protection.
Types of Sheet Roofing Materials

Polycarbonate Sheet
PVC Roofing
Bitumen Roofing
Sheet Roof Coverings Materials
– Steel, stainless steel
– Aluminium
– Zinc
– Lead
– Fibre cement, including asbestos cement and
asbestos-free alternatives
– Plastics (PVC)
– Polycarbonate
– Composite, including with insulation
 Metal Roofing
– Metal roofing materials: steel, stainless steel, aluminum,
copper, and zinc alloys. (Each has different properties that
affect durability, price, and appearance).

– Steel, used for most metal roofing, is heavier and sturdier than
aluminum.

– A number of durable coatings and finishes that protect steel

from rust and corrosion are available.

– Usually zinc-coated for corrosion protection

– A coating of epoxy primer offers adhesion and a baked-on

acrylic top coating adds color and protection.
Metal Roofing

– Stainless steel, a very expensive roofing material, won't rust

or corrode.

– Aluminum, extremely lightweight, is used in much

residential metal roofing. It won't rust, but it must be
painted or coated for appearance. Coatings are similar to
those used on steel. Environmentalists have expressed
concerns about using this precious resource for purposes
such as roofing.
*expensive.

– Alloys are formulated for strength, graceful weathering, and

durability. Cost depends on the specific material but, as a
group, copper varieties are pricey.
 Metal Roofing: The Benefits
– Expected life:
- Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the
house, completely sealing out water, surviving high winds, and
easily shedding snow.
- Metal is resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot.
Warranties vary widely but most companies strongly back their
products for 20 to 50 years.

– Weight:
- Compared with tile at 750 pounds per square (an area
equal to 100 square feet) or concrete tile at 900 pounds per
square, metal roofing is lightweight.
- Most varieties run from 50 to 150 pounds per square.
 Metal Roofing: The Benefits

– Speed and ease of roofing installation.

– Fire resistance
– Heat conduction.
– Minimal roof pitch
 Metal Roofing: The Drawbacks
– Cost. The biggest drawback is initial cost.

– Metal roofing is equivalent in cost to other premium materials

– The secret is that you get it back if you stay in the house for a long time.

– Metal roof installation can, however, allow you to save on engineering the
supporting structure and on maintenance.

– Noise. Noise can be controlled, however, both by using materials that have
structural barriers to minimize the drum effect and by applying them over
sound-deadening insulation and solid plywood sheathing.

– Denting. Just as your car will dent if a golf ball hits it, a metal roof may dent
if large hailstones fall on it. Aluminum and copper, much softer than steel,
are more prone to denting. Some types are guaranteed not to dent,
however.
Metal Roofing: The Drawbacks

– Expansion and contraction. Because metal expands and contracts as it

warms and cools, most new products have fastening systems that
account for movement; otherwise, fasteners that secure roofing tend to
be loose.

– Modification. Roofing materials installed in large panels are more

difficult to replace if damaged than individual shingles. Also, if you
remodel or add-on to your home 10 or 20 years from now, it may be
difficult to match the material.

– Lightning. Many people assume that, because metal "conducts"

electricity, it also "attracts" it. This really isn't the case, and there are
many documented instances of lightning striking trees or other high
objects located near metal roofs rather than the roofs themselves. Just
the same, if desired, metal roofs can be easily grounded by a lightning
Corrugated Roof Fixings, Flashings & Accessories

Profile Wall Flashing

Profile Sheet Fixings
"J" Bolts Sheet Fixings

Profile Ridge
Eaves Filler
FLAT ROOF
Reinforced concrete flat roof

– Slope must be not more than 10°

– Construction details similar to suspended floor and
gutters are designed to be hidden
– It can be either solid reinforced concrete (half way
span) or pre-cast
– Unlike suspended floor, flat roof have coverings
and edge details
– Water proofing can be done by:

i. Water proofing cement screed

ii. Water proofed reinforced concrete slab
– Add admixture to be waterproof, could
eliminate pores in concrete
– No need plaster
iii. Water proofing membrane
–Flat roof finishes:
– Material which covers the decking slab to provide
protection from the weather
– Finishes also contribute to thermal insulation,
resistance to fire and condensation of the roof
–Finishes can either be:

– Single sheet material (metal)

– Multiple layer material (bitumen felt)
– Monolithic material applied as liquid and
dries to form a solid covering (asphalt)
– “Falls” required in flat roof is to encourage natural
drain-off of rainwater to gutter or scupper drain or
rainwater outlet, and falls can be achieved by using
screed
– “Falls” can be classified into:
1. 1 way fall to ext. gutter
2. 2 way fall to ext. gutter
3. 4 way fall to ext. gutter
4. 4 way fall to single int. outlet
5. 4 way fall to multiple int. outlet
6. 4 way fall to 2 outlet & valley
7. Roof falling to int. gutter
i) 1 way fall to ext gutter

ii) 2 way fall to ext gutter

iii) 4 way fall to ext gutter
iv) 4 way fall to single int. outlet
v) 4 way fall to multiple int. outlet
vi) 4 way fall to 2 outlets/valley
vii) roof falling to internal gutter
Monolithic roof finishes
– Mastic asphalt, a mixture of:
– Asphaltic cement, which is bitumen (a black water resisting
material which softens when heated and is derived either
naturally or from the distillation of petroleum
– Aggregate which either asphalt rock or limestone (limestone
naturally impregnated with bitumen)
– Mastic asphalt may be applied to most roof decking including
timber boards and in-situ or pre-cast concrete, provided that the
decking is:

– Sufficiently supported to avoid excessive

deflection
– Laid to fall of at least 1:80
 Steps:

i. The decking is first covered with sheating felt (an

underlay of bitumen impregnated felt) which
isolates the asphalt from structural movements
ii. Mastic asphalt is heated and spread over the
sheating felt by wood float
iii. The asphalt is applied in two coats of 10mm thick
iv. A surface of protective stone chippings is applied
on top of the asphalt
REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT ROOFS
REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT ROOFS
RC roof Pre cast concrete Cast in situ
concrete falling
between beam

reinforcement
Precast
concrete
hollow beam
– Advantages of flat roof:
– Simple construction
– Space can be used for mechanical plant
– For complicated plan shape, flat roof is the best solution

Disadvantages of flat roof:

– Poor insulation against transfer of heat (no space between roof and
space below)
– Tendency to give an appearance of unfinished building
– Ponding of water if not properly constructed
– Tends to collects leaves, etc. (need regular maintenance)
– Leakage due to failure of water proofing construction
Asphalt Roofing
– Because asphalt-based shingles are
relatively affordable, easy to apply,
readily available almost
everywhere, fire-resistant, and
durable enough to last for from 12
to 40 years

– Made from a composition of

asphalt and fiberglass, many
different grades, textures, and
styles are available.
Asphalt Shingles
– The two basic types are composition and fiberglass-
base shingles. Composition shingles are made of
organic felt manufactured from wood and paper fibers.
Fiberglass-base shingles are made of manmade
fiberglass mat.

– Both kinds are soaked in asphalt, but the fiberglass

base shingles are more fire-resistant than the organic
ones. Asphalt shingles have mineral granules
embedded in them; when you find these granules
washing away, it's a sign that you need to repair or
replace your shingles.

– Although asphalt shingles may look like individual tabs,

they are generally manufactured in in 12-inch by 36-
inch pieces that are notched to look like smaller units.
The exposed portion is called "exposure" and the lower
edge is referred to as the "butt." They come in a variety
of weights. Generally speaking, the heavier the
shingles, the longer they last.
Roof Drainage Failures
– Any failure or leakage -
water enter the building.

– Failure of valley, hip,

parapet and boundary wall
gutters

– Therefore, correct roof

drainage design - a vital
part of the project team’s
considerations.