Department of Building

Faculty of Environmental Design

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Lecture on:
BLDG 302 (Building Construction)

LONG SPAN ROOFS

300 Level Students

 Introduction
• They are roofs that exceed 12m in span

• Long span roofs can produce resilient, column free interior areas

• They can reduce substructure cost and production time

• They are commonly found in buildings like; Factories, warehouses,

aircraft hangers, large shops, public halls, gymnasiums, auditoriums,
arenas etc.
• Long span roofs generally are of different material types in general.
Some of those include aluminum alloy, steel, reinforced and
prestressed concrete, and timber. Steel is often favored due to its high
durability and it also discourages the spread of fire
 Functional Requirements
• Weather protection

• Sound and thermal insulation

• Restrict the spread of fire

• Provide support for building services, access routes, electrical services

etc.
• other functional requirements of roofs.
 Types of Roofs
1. Portal Frame
• Portal frames are a class of structural frame distinguished by a beam or rafter,
held at either end by columns.
• the connecting joints of the columns and beams are ‘rigid’ so that any warping
movement gets shifted to the columns. What this means, is that the beam can
decrease in sectional size to span large ranges.
• Generally, the joint connecting the beam and the column is made ‘rigid’ by the
attachment of a bracket, a haunch. )or by deepening the section where the joints
meet.)
• Portal frames made from reinforced precast concrete, steel, or laminated wood
are often referred to as ‘glulam’.
Pitched Truss
• A pitched truss is a triangulated plane frame separated at appropriate centers.
• To limit spreading, the beams, the top edge of the truss get attached at their
bases by a tie member. Bases are then attached in the basic triangle by using
struts and ties. Purlins are set between the trusses to attach roof coverings.
• Pitched trusses provide good rainwater runoff. They also provide generous
daylight spread from roof lights and raised roof volume because of their shape.
• Pitched trusses are usually made out of steel sections. They are joined together
with bolts or by welding them to cast plates called gussets.
• Steel truss segments are generally angled sections. This is because they are
economical and can withstand both tensile and compression. Timber segments
are sometimes used as well, joined with bolts and timber connectors.
Saw-Tooth Roof
• A saw-tooth roof contains a series of ribs, with each individual pitch much
steeper than the next. This pattern is comparable in form to a saw’s teeth.
(hence the name)
• Saw-tooth roofs enable the fabrication of pitched roofs over a large span
without forming a high apex. Surfaces face the north and are then glazed to
allow sunlight into the building. For that reason, saw-tooth roofs are also
recognized as ‘north light roofs’.
• Saw-tooth roofs were first seen in manufacturing and industrial structures.
This was before the invention of electrical light.
• They are environmentally effective.
• their form allows for very easy solar panel installations.
Trussed Rafter
• A trussed rafter is also intended for extremely long spans ranging between 15-
45 m in length.
• Trussed rafters are generally made from wood or steel, and spaced at the
center to support purlins.
• Trussed rafters generally have low pitches as well. (to provide adequate
rainwater runoff and provide reasonable sunlight range from roof lights.)
• Trussed rafters also offer the benefit of lessening roof volume and depth,
increasing with the span of the roof.
Space Deck
• A space deck is a modular architectural roofing system based on simplistic
pyramidal units.
• They are generally manufactured with tubular diagonals. Then, attached by
welding to a forming tray and apex boss. Single span designs can produce large
clear spans; (up to 22 m) while two-way span designs can accommodate spans
of up to 33 m.
• The parts of a span deck can be quickly carried to the job site. After transport,
they get constructed into beams. The entire The space deck is then built at
ground level before getting winched into place on top of perimeter supports.
Any lightweight architectural decking is suitable as a roof coating.
• Roof lights can are optionally installed onto the square top space deck sections.
Space Frame
• A space frame is comparable in theory to a space deck. It has a more
detailed layout and design flexibility than other methods. Space frames
are a lightweight and rigid roofing system.
• They ate made up of a series of connectors that tie together the struts
and bracing segments.
• They are very durable due to the rigidity of the triangle, with any stress
transferred as stress and compression loads across the span of each
chord.
• The majority of space frames get manufactured out of structural steel or
aluminum alloy pipes.
Fabric Structures
• Structural fabrics like PVC polyester and PTFE glass are very strong.
• They can also span quite large distances with very little material.
• They are normally forced into place by bracing structures, pulled tight by
cables, or filled with pressurized air.
• Generally, fabric structures are translucent in color, providing good natural
sunlight.
Monitor Roofs
• Monitor roofs are flat roofs with raised sections that are also referred to as
‘monitors’.
• They provide a balanced amount of sunlight from the monitor lights that
are not influenced by the building’s direction.
• Monitor roofs are generally assembled with light long-span girders that
support them.
Long Span Arch
• Shell roofs, also called Long span arches are fully self-supporting,
requiring no trusses, frames, support posts, or purlins.
• They are an architectural curved skin coating applied in a designated
shape and area.
• The forces inside the shell are compressive and the restraining edge beams
are ductile.
Suspension Structures
• Suspension structures are generally used where the main elements of a
structure support the load. (chains, wires, cables, etc,)
• Suspension Structures are subjected entirely to extension forces.
• Horizontal, (or plain) constructions use a wire fastener to supports
elements that bear the local strain. These are generally used in roofs and
bridges.
Cable-Stayed Structures
• Cable-stayed structures are a structural design obtained from bridge
building.
• In cable-stayed structures, a flat roof gets hung from above by steel cables
hanging downward from masts that tower above roof level.
• The cables then act as suspension elements. This causes the roofing system
to behave like a standard load-resisting unit; subjected to shears, moments,
and other types of action. Even under the danger of wind uplift, because of
the weight of the roof, suspending elements are expected to remain in
tension.