BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 4 Superstructure_ ROOF
 CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Functional requirements of roofs
 Classification of roofs - overview
 Parts of a roof
 Roof coverings
 Drainage

PREPARED BY: Keniko D.

 1. INTRODUCTION
ROOF
• The uppermost part of a building.
• A horizontal or inclined top plan that define the space.

PURPOSES
The purposes of a roof are depends upon the:
 Local weather condition,
 The purpose of the building that it covers,
•The main propose of a roof is : to protect a building and its
contents from the effects of weather (i.e. rain, heat(sun),wind,
snow , cold ,etc.) .
•To create a comfortable interior environment for the tenants 3
and their belongings.
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 2. FUNCTIONAL & AESTHETIC
REQUIREMENTS OF A ROOF
2.1 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
 Strength and stability: the ability to a roof to support the self-
weight, the anticipated wind and snow loads, between supporting
structures.
- It depends on properties of materials used and their method
of joining.
Resistance to weather : roofs should be resistant to damages
caused by rain, wind, temperature difference and other weather
elements.
- Careful consideration should be taken in the structure, the
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choice of roof covering material, shape of roof and details of joint.
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 CONT…
 Resistance to rot and insect attack : materials subjected to
dampness fungal and insect attacks need treatments before
utilization.
 Fire safety : highly flammable materials that propagates fire
through the elements should be kept away from heat
radiation.
 Resistance to pollution : materials of roof exposed to
pollution should resist acid rain and other chemicals. .
 Security: Strong roof materials and integrated structural
construction systems can be installed as the type of the
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building requires.
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CONT…
Insulation
 Heat insulation
 Sound insulation
we should chose from different materials that have
different level of heat and sound insulation and their
method of installation for the intended purpose .
Aesthetics
 Varity of color and texture that can last long.

 flexibility of material which enables to create different

forms. 6

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•Factors to be considered:
 Function of building, Preferences of the designer and
owner Building layout, Weight of roofing, Climatic
conditions, Fire exposure, Durability, Cost, Appearance,
Availability, transportation.
 On site assembly and construction problems, Maintenance
requirement and cost.

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 The control of sound within enclosed spaces is also an
important aspect of roof construction that needs due
attention.
 The types of roof, roof construction, and roofing materials
must be compatible in order to ensure the desired
performance.
 The proper selection of insulation, sealants, gaskets will 7
provide interior spaces that are free of wind and moisture.
3. CLASSSIFICATION OF ROOFS
I- pitched roofs

II- flat roofs

III- curved roofs

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I - Pitched roofs
 The angle of inclination of the outer plane from the
horizontal is more than 5.˚
 The pitch insures easy water ran-off.

Pitched roofs can be further classified according to:

 Shape of the outer plane
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 the structural principles their design is based
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Parts of Pitched roof:

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CONT…

Ridge detail
2 Ridge apping tile,
3 Ridge piece,
4 Ridge (top course) tile,
5 Common pantile,
6 Airspace,
7 Ridge axis, 11
8 Gauge,
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CONT…
Classification based on the shape of the outer plane:
i. Shed roof
ii. Lean to roof
iii. gable roof
iv. Hip roof
v. Mansard roof
vi. Gambrel roof
vii. Butterfly roof
viii. Saw tooth roof
ix. Pavilion

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i. Shed roof:
•A single inclined plane
• Produces walls of different heights
• Suitable if a building is intended to face a particular direction
• Simplest roof form

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ii. Lean to roof
 A single inclined plane where the highest level is lean to wall.
 proper detailing is needed at the joining place of the roof and
wall.

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iii. Gable roof
 Formed by two juxtaposed inclined planes,
 Simplest roof form,

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iV. Hipped roof
 The roof slopes on all four sides,

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V. Mansard roof
 Has two juxtaposed roof planes of different pitches,
 Intended to give more headroom,

VI. Gambrel roof

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Vii.Butterfly roof
 The roof slopes to the center.

Viii. Saw Tooth roof

 Have small mono pitch roofs,
 Gable roofs aligned like teeth of a saw,
 Often used to light large spaces,

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iX. Pyramid or Pavilion roof
 Has all its roof planes pitched, with outside walls of equal
length,
 The roof planes meet a single point.

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Classification based on the structural principles their
design is based;
i. Couple roof
ii. Collar roof
iii. Purlin roof
iv. Truss roof

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i. Couple roof
 The couple roof is a simple triple frame form: if the structure
is viewed in cross section it consists of two beams leaning
against each other, the rafters, connected to the floor below or
to a tie beam to form a triangle.
 A couple roofs consist of several pairs of rafters in a row.
 They should be 70 to 80cm apart, up to a max of 90cm.
 The rafters are subjected to loads from self- weight, snow etc.

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ii. Collar roof
 Like couple roof it is a triangular framework, bowing of the
rafters is reduced by an arrangement of horizontal tiles.
 For structural reasons, the collar ties are usually arranged in
pairs, as horizontal tiles, and fixed to the sides of the rafters.
 The collar ties can also be arranged at a height 65-70 percent of
the total roof height.
 Collar roofs are most economical at a roof pitch of more than
450 and more suitable for spans of 10-15m.

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 iii. Purlin roof
 is the most versatile classical roof structure form, and a wide
variety of irregular and composite roof can be constructed.
 Good rafter lengths are up to 4.5m between the purlins.
 The posts have to be braced so that can also absorb horizontal
wind loads.
 The props are attached to the sides of the posts and make the
roof better able to absorb transverse forces.

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iii. Truss roofs:

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II. FLAT ROOFS
 A roof is defined as flat when its outer plane is finished at a
slope of 1˚to 5˚ to the horizontal.
 This type of roofs are common in hot climate areas.
 The shallow slope to flat roofs is necessary to encourage
rainwater to flow towards rainwater gutters or outlets and to
avoid the effect known as ponding .
 Flat roofs can be used us ; terraces(walk on roofs),green roofs
, parking roofs and pools.

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 Parts of Flat roofs

1. Structural base: the flat roof rests on the last floor slab or roof
structure.
2. Falls: these shape that give slope to the surface and act as a
support for the waterproofing layer.
Mostly found in concrete flat roofs and the minimum slope should
be 1˚.Materials like light weight concrete, expanded 26
clay,mortar,insulation board can be used to obtain falls.
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 CONT…
3- Separating layers: the function is to maintain the durability and
effectiveness of the system.
4- Waterproofing layer: This stops water from penetrating the roof
and reaching the interior of the building.
 The types of waterproofing includes bituminous or synthetic
prefabricated sheets that come in rools or liquid waterproofing films
that are applied in situ by spraying or rolling to form a solid, elastic
and waterproofing film.
5- Thermal insulation: this reduces the thermal load of the roof layer
and prevents fissuers in the mortars.
8- Up-stand /parapet: this is a form of a wall that protects the drainage 27
of water to the wall
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 CONT…
6- Protection and finish: this provides protection from solar

radiation, wind suction, tears and wears and other damages on the
thermal insulation or waterproofing layer.
 Materials used for protection can be gravel, tiles, cement
screed,etc.
7-Flashing: it is required to stop water penetration as folows:through
the wall and roof Joints in copings, through materials permeable to
moisture, at parapet intersections with the roof and at other
penetrations through the roof.
Flashing must be installed at the following locations:
 At intersections of walls and roofs,
 At gutters, at changes in roof slope,
 At changes in roof direction,
 Around openings in the roof. 28

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III. CURVED ROOFS:

 Curved roofs, also called shell roofs ,are generated from

different curve types.
 Large span roof is possible by curved roofs because the shape
enables the roof to resist both horizontal and vertical forces .
 Advanced skill and construction system is required to
construct these roofs.

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Vault/barrel Dome Hyperbolic paraboloid roofs

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5. ROOF COVERING MATERIALS
 This part of the roof shows great variation dependent
upon availability of material, climatic conditions, shape
and size of roof and available skill.
 There are different types of roof cover.

I. Tiles

II. Corrugated Iron sheets

III. Glass

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I. TILES
 Tiles made of metal sheet, ceramic,mortar,cement or clay can
be found in many shapes,colours and textures.
 There are also special tiles particular points, such as
ridges,edges,hips and vents.
 Tiles can be curved or plain.

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ii. Plain tiles
 On the underside at the top edge they have two nibs or
ridges and grooved edges to fit into each other.
 A double lap is used to avoid seepage of water.

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ii. Curved tiles:
 Have a conical or cylindrical surface which helps to
direct water drain off the roof.
 These tiles interlock to provide better weather
protection. The minimum slope should be 24%and
maximum of 35%.

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 II. CORRUGATED IRON SHEETS
 They are light weight so they don't need heavy supporting
system.
 There life span and their water proofing quality is very good
,but they are poor on their insulation quality.
 Nails and bolts are used to fix them on their overlaps to the
supporting structure.

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CONT…
CIS (Corrugated Iron Sheet)

• Size=2mX1m
• Fixing
 End laps overlapping 100-150 mm
 Side laps minimum of 1 corrugation
 Minimum pitch not less than 100 -200
 Purlin spacing 0.9 m c/c
 Purlins fixed on truss system
 Fixing of CIS on purlins could be done using nails,
bolts and nuts, screws etc
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 III. GLASS ROOF
 Glass roofs have become an important element of architectural
design.
 Glass can also be used as a sky light with other roof covering
materials.

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 6. DRAINAGE

 In pitched roofs the rainwater runs off and is collected by

gutters and drain pipes.
 The section and diameter of the gutter depend on the size of
the roof surface and the distance between the drainpipes.
 External gutters for pitched roofs can be made of several
materials, the drains may be made of plastic or cast iron.

 HANGING GUTTERS:- have a semicircular or rectangular

section and are suspended on the edge of the eave,
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 BOX GUTTERS;- are supported and concealed by the eave.
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 CONT…

 For flat roofs, each slope must have at least two drains.
 The water proofing layer must extend to the entrance to
the drains.
 On flat roofs the water is collected by drains that channel the
water to the exterior of the building

 Vertical roof drains are preferable, because horizontal

ones become easily clogged.

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CONT…

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PREPARED BY: H/Mariam K.