Chapter 7

• Roof structure and roof covering

 introduction
• Roof
;-is the upper most parts of the building provide
as a structural covering to protect the building
from weather.
Roof consists of structural element which
support roof covering
The roof covering my be G.I sheet, wooden, tile,
or slab itself
 The functional requirements of a roof
 The primary function of a roof is to enclose space and
protect it from the elements. This is similar
to the primary function of an external wall.
 In fact roofs are sometimes referred to as ‘the fifth
wall’ because they have similar functional requirements.
 The main functional requirements of a roof are as follows:
● Strength and stability
● Weather resistance
● Thermal insulation
● Sound insulation
● Fire resistance
● Durability
● Appearance
 Types of roof
Pitched sloping roof
Flat or terrace roof
Curved roof
 Thee selection of the type of roof depend up
on the shape or plan of the building ,climate
condition of the area and type of construction
material available.
 Pitched roof
have sloping top surface
This are suitable in these area where
rainfall /snowfall is very heavy.
Building with limited width and simple shape
can generally be covered by pitched roof.
 Pitched roof
 Is the most common forms of roof and it is generally regarded as the
cheapest alternative for covering a structure.
 Pitched roofs have their surfaces sloping at an angle greater than 10
degree to provide a run off for rainwater at the eaves. The roofs may be
pitched on one side only (monopitch), on two sides (dual pitch) or on
three or four sides (hipped).
 Pinched roof are almost always constructed in wooden or steel.
 The various shape ,which can be given to roof of this type depend on;-
 the area covered
 Material available
 Types of light and ventilations needed inside
 etc
 Types of Pitched Roofs
• Four main designs of pitched roofs are shown
here. There are many variations on these
themes. Roofs are usually defined according to
their shape. Each type can be built in different
ways, and from different materials.
 Cont……
 Gabled ;-The roof slopes around a triangular
extension of the end wall. This piece of wall is the
gable.
 Hipped;- A hip is the joint between two adjacent
slopes of a roof. Some complex roofs have several
hips.
 Shed ;- This simple roof has only one slope. It is
commonly used on lean-to structures, such as
additions.
 Pyramid roof
Elements of pitched roof
 Elements of pitched roof
Common rafter – sawn timber placed from wall
plate to ridge to carry the
loads from tiles, snow and wind. Long rafters may
need intermediate supports from
purlins.
Rise ;-span is the vertical distance between the top
of the ridge and the wall plate.
Pitch ;- it is the inclination of the side of the roof to
the horizontal plane. It is expressed either in terms
of degree (angle) or as a ratio of rise to span.
 Cont…
Purlin – large section sawn solid structural timber, or
fabricated beam, used
to carry the common rafters on larger roof slopes where
the commons are not strong
enough or cannot be obtained in one single length, to span
between the wall plate
and the ridge
• In some of the older houses purlins were placed at right
angles to the rafter.
• The purlins allow the rafter to be birds mouthed over them,
thus avoiding the
tendency for the rafter to slide off the roof.
 Cont….
Ridge – a term used to describe the uppermost part of
the roof. The term is
also used to describe the sawn timber member which
connects the upper parts of the
common rafters.
 Fascia – usually a planed timber member used to close
off the ends of the
rafters, to support the soffit M, to support the last row
of tiles at the eaves N and
to carry the rainwater gutter support brackets.
 Cot….
Valley – term used to describe the intersection of
two roofs creating a ‘valley’
on either side. The illustration has only one main
valley, the building being L-shaped
on plan. A further small valley is illustrated on the
dormer roof with its junction to
the main roof.
Eave;-the lowest edge of the inclined roof surface is
called eaves
 Pitches, Spans and Rises
• When setting out a roof, there are certain essential factors
that must be considered.
Roof span – This is the distance across the roof and measured
to the outer edges of the
wall plates.
Roof height or rise – This is the vertical height of the roof at
its highest point and is
measured from the top of the wall plates to the intersection
of the rafters at the top of the
roof. When measuring rafters, the length is taken as a straight
line running through the
center of the rafter.
Roof pitch – This is the angle or slope of the roof and can be
expressed in degrees or as a
fraction or ratio found by dividing the rise by the span.
 Material for sloping roof
• Wooden sloping roof ;- consists of a system of
joint ,rafter, and purlins arranged in the form
of triangular shaped support known as truss.
• The lower ends of the rafter rest upon the wall
plate and at their upper end they are
connected to a common ridge piece.
 Steel sloping roof
 Steel sloping roof are used for various necessity of the
building
 For span greater than 12meter ,it become economical to
use steel truss.
The following are the advantage of steel truss over
timber(wood) truss
 The components of steel truss can be easily obtained in
the required dimensions and it results in the minimum
wastage of materials.
 They are fire proof and termite proof
 They can be fabricated in any shape as per architectural
requirement
 They are stronger and move durable as compare to
 Roof covering for sloping roof
 Roof covering is essential components of pitched roof ,to be
placed over the roof framework ,to protect it from rain, sun ,
wind and other atmospheric agencies various types of roofing
material are available and their selection depend upon;-
 Types of building
 Types of roof frame work
 Initial cost and maintenance cost
 Fabrication facilities
 appearance
 Durability of the material itself
 Climate of the locality
 Cot….
• The following are the roof covering material
commonly used for pitched roof.
 Tiles
 Galvanized corrugated iron sheet
 Aluminum sheeting
 EGA sheet
 Corrugated asbestoses cement sheet ;-were
frequently used as the major covering material
for mainly steel roof structure
 Flat roof
 Are considered suitable for building in plain or
hot region ,where is moderate and where
snowfall is moderate and where snowfall is
not there.
 Flat roof can have the advantage of providing
an extra area to abuilding for the purpose of
recreation and additional view point.
 Curved roof
 have their top surface curved such roof include
cylindrical and parabolic shell and shell dome .
Such root are more suitable for public building
like library ,theatres recreations center etc
•Roof structure