COURSE : BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION
Instructor: Engr. Abdirahman Dayr
College of Engineering
Chapter Six

Roofs

6 February 2024
Content Outline

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Functions of a Roof

6.3 Requirements of a Roof

6.4 Types of Roofs

6.5 Roof Covering Materials

Choice of Roof Covering
6.6 Materials
6.7 Review questions
 6.1 Introduction

 A roof may be defined as the upper most part of the building provided as a
structural covering, to protect the building from external weather exposure
such as rain, sun, wind, etc. Basically, a roof consists of structural elements,
which support roof coverings.
 The structural element may be trusses, beams, slabs, shells or domes. The
roof coverings may be corrugated metal sheets, reinforced concrete slab,
tiles, etc. Roof covering material is laid over network of frames. The
availability of the materials and the climate of the place governs the
particular type of roof
 6.2 Functions of a Roof

The main functions of a roof are:

 Protection from Weather: A roof protects the building and its
occupants from rain, wind, sunlight, snow, and other environmental
elements.
 Thermal and Sound Insulation: It helps to maintain indoor
temperature and reduce noise by providing insulation against heat and
sound.
 Structural Support: The roof contributes to the overall structural
integrity of the building by distributing loads safely to the supporting
walls or columns.
 6.3 Requirements of a Roof

Requirements of a Good Roof

 Durability: It should be durable against the adverse effects of wind,
rain, sun, and other climatic conditions.
 Load-Bearing Capacity: The roof must be structurally stable and
capable of withstanding all likely loads (dead, live, wind, and snow
loads).
 Proper Drainage: It should have an adequate slope or drainage system
to prevent water accumulation.
 Waterproofing: An efficient waterproofing arrangement is essential to
stop leakage and moisture penetration.
 Thermal and Acoustic Insulation: The materials and design should
provide effective resistance to heat transfer and noise intrusion.
 6.4 Types of Roofs
 The General types of roofs are:
1. Pitched/slopping roofs
2. Flat roofs
3. Dome roofs
4. Shell roofs

 The selection of the type of

roof depends upon the
shape or plan of the
building, climatic
conditions of the area and
type of constructional
materials available.
 Cont...

1. Sloping or Pitched Roof

 Pitched roof is a type of roof which slopes in one or more directions. It is the
most common form of roof and is generally regarded as the cheapest
alternative for covering a structure. Pitched roof is almost always constructed
in wood or steel. The different shape can be provided to the pitched roofs.
 The various shapes, which can be given to roofs of this type, depend on the
area covered, materials available, type of lighting and ventilation needed
inside, available appliance etc.
 In pitched roofs a slope of less than l in 3 is generally not considered
satisfactory from drainage point of view in areas of heavy snowfall, steeper
slopes ( 1:1.5 or 1:1) incidence of snow load on the roof.
 Buildings with limited width and simple shape can generally be covered
satisfactorily by pitched roofs. Buildings irregular in plan, or with long
spans, present awkward problems in the design of a pitched roof, involving
numerous valleys, gutters and hips.
Cont...
 Cont...

 Forms of Pitched Roof

Sloping roofs are basically of the following forms:
 Shed roof: It is the simplest type and slopes only in one direction. It is
used for smaller span and is also known as lean to roof. At the upper
ends, the rafters are nailed to the wooden wall plate, which may be of
stone, brick or steel. At the lower end the rafters are notched and nailed
to the wooden post plate.
 Gable roof: It slopes in two directions and is commonly used. It is
formed by a pair of inclined rafters with their upper ends nailed to a
common ridge piece and their low ends. Notched and nailed to the
wooden wall plates embedded in masonry on the top of the wall on either
end.
 Hip roof: It slopes in four directions such that the end formed by
intersection of slopes results in triangular and/ or trapezoidal form.
 Cont...

 Butterfly roof: It slopes in two directions and intersects at the centre of

the span and will have common drainage system.
 Gambrel roof: This type of roof slopes in two directions but there is
break in slopes.
 Mansard roof: This type of roof slopes in all the four directions but
there is break in slopes.
 North light roof: This type of roof is commonly used in factories to
admit sufficient light through the glass panels fixed on the steep sloping
sides of the roof.
 Pyramid roof: It is similar to hip roofs, slopes in four directions and the
intersections of slopes make a pyramid.
 Cont...

Shed roof Gable roof Hip roof

Gambrel roof
Butterfly roof Mansard roof

North light roof

Pyramid roof
 Cont...

 Important Elements and Terms of Pitched Roof

Some of the important elements of pitched roofs are:
 Span: It is the clear distance between the supports of beam, roof truss, or
an arch.
 Rise: It is the vertical distance between the top of the ridge and the wall
plate.
 Pitch: It is the inclination of the sides of a roof to the horizontal or is
expressed either in degrees or as ratio of rise to span.
 Ridge: It is defined as the apex line of the sloping roof. It is thus the apex
of the angle formed by the termination of the inclined surfaces at the top
of a slope.
 Ridge piece: It is a horizontal member provided at the ridge line of a
sloping roof.
 Eaves: The lower edge of the inclined roof surface. From the lower edge
(eaves) the rainwater from the roof surface drops down.
 Cont...

 Hip: It is the ridge formed by the intersection of two sloping surfaces,

where the exterior angle is greater than . It is the external angle of a
pitched roof at which the roof slopes are turned down.
 Valley: It is a reverse of a hip. It is formed by the intersection of two roof
surfaces, making an external angle less than . It is a depression or gutter
formed by the inter-section of two slopes in a pitched roof.
 Hipped end: It is the sloped triangular surface formed at the end of a
roof.
 Verge: The edge of a gable, running between the eaves and ridge, is
known as a verge. It is the edge of sheets or tiles, projecting beyond the
gable end.
 Cont...

 Hip: It is the ridge formed by the intersection of two sloping surfaces,

where the exterior angle is greater than . It is the external angle of a
pitched roof at which the roof slopes are turned down.
 Valley: It is a reverse of a hip. It is formed by the intersection of two roof
surfaces, making an external angle less than . It is a depression or gutter
formed by the inter-section of two slopes in a pitched roof.
 Hipped end: It is the sloped triangular surface formed at the end of a
roof.
 Verge: The edge of a gable, running between the eaves and ridge, is
known as a verge. It is the edge of sheets or tiles, projecting beyond the
gable end.
 Strut: It is a compression member in a roof truss which prevents sagging
of the principal rafters. The strut should be almost immediately under the
purlin.
 Cont...

 Common Rafter: These are wooden members laid from the ridge to the
eaves and parallel to the roof pitch. They are supported by purlin at their
centre. They are inclined wooden members supporting the battens or
purlines on which roof coverings rest. These are inclined members
spaced regularly and laid from the ridge to the eves over the purlins.
 Tie beam: It is a beam subjected to tensile stresses only and is used in a
truss to hold the end or feet of the rafters to prevent them from spreading
out.
 Purlin: A purlin is a beam running longitudinally from principal to
principal as support for the common rafter. Purlins are sometimes framed
in between the principal rafters. The purlins are generally notched where
they rest upon the principal rafters, so as to keep the latter rigidity apart.
They are horizontal members placed over principal rafters to support
common rafters.
 Cont...

 Battens: These are thin strips of wood, called scantlings, which are
nailed to the rafters for laying roof material above. They are small
sections of the timber which are fixed to the rafters for placing tiles/CIS
on the sloping roof.
 Truss: A roof truss is a framework, usually of triangles, designed to
support the roof covering or ceiling over rooms. It is a framework of
triangles and used to carry the load of roof covering materials and other
members of the roof.
 Gable: It is the triangular upper part of a wall formed at the end of a
pitched roof.
 Wall-plates: These are the members placed at the top of wall to receive
the common rafters.
 Cleats: They are small sections of steel or timber, fixed to the rafters of
the truss to support purlins.
 Cont...

 Template: It is a masonry block under the end of tie beam to distribute

the load from the roof over a large area.
 Cont...

 Types of Pitched roofs

Pitched roofs are basically classified into three categories.
1. Single roof,
2. Double or beam or purlin roofs and
3. Triple-membered or Tramed or Trussed roofs.

1. Single Roof
 This roof consists of common rafters that are secured at the ridge and wall
plates The various forms of this type are as follows:
 Lean to roof
 Couple roof
 Couple close roof
 Collar beam roof
 Collar and tie roof
 Cont...
 Lean to roof: It is the simplest
form of a pitched roof and it is
known as pent roof. In this type
of roof, one wall is carried up
sufficiently higher than the other
to give necessary slope to the
roof. It is suitable for spans upto
2.5 metres.
 Couple roof: This is the
common type of sloping roof
which slopes in two direction.
The two slopes meet at the ridge.
This type of roof is suitable upto
a span of 3.60 metres.
 Cont...
 Couple close roof: It is similar to a couple roof
except that the legs of the common rafters are
closed/joined by a horizontal tie known as tie
beam. this type of roof can be used for a maximum
span of 4.50 metres.
 Collar beam roof: This is similar to the couple-
close roof, except that the horizontal tie is now
raised up form the feet the rafters to almost the
middle of the rafters. Collar beam roof is
considered suitable for spans varying between 4
and 5.5meters
 Collar and tie roof: It is used when the roof span
exceeds 5.5 meters. It is a combination of collar
beam roof and couple close roof.
 Cont...

2. Double Roof
 In modern terminology, double-pitched roofs are also known as double
roofs and are constructed of lightweight roof trussers called trussed rafters.
The terminology for the roof in general is double pitch roof truss or double
sloped roof.
 In fact, double-pitched roofs nowadays can be implemented within a whole
variety of designs and combinations of double roofs. Mostly depending on
the size and shape of the ground floor plan.
 Cont...
 The double-pitched roof is a traditional and most often
used type of roofing. Although, it can be at best described
as a triangle that consists of basically of two surface
being connected with a ridge in the top, they are
additionally supported by a ridge connecting the load-
bearing walls through the top.
 The triangle in the end are called gables, and their main
advantage is the installation of windows so that natural
light comes inside of them.
 The best part about double-pitched roofs is the fact that
there can be various types of roof covering installed to it,
even coming from the lowest outcrop. Although they are
being classified as both symmetrical and asymmetrical
solutions, double-pitched roofs are mostly symmetrical
with equal surfaces and are considered as perfect triangle.
 Cont...
 Double-pitched roof can be classified as
symmetrical and asymmetrical.
 The first option is the most popular.
 It has equal surfaces and can be considered
as a perfect triangle. Asymmetrical roof has
the roof ridge placed not in the center and the
roof surfaces are different by length and area.
 It has equal surfaces and can be considered
as a perfect triangle. Asymmetrical roof has
the roof ridge placed not in the center and the
roof surfaces are the different by length and
area.
 From the aesthetic point of view, its very
interesting design but it negatively affects the
usage of building area below the roof
 Cont...

3. Trussed Roof
 Trussed roofs are sloping roofs used when the span exceeds 5m. In other
words, for greater span than 5metres, when no intermediate supporting walls
for the purlins are available, framed structures known as trusses are used.
The spacing between trusses is guided by the load coming on the roof,
material of the truss, span and the location of cross-walls, if any.
 Generally, they are spaced not more than 3meters centre to centre. There are
three elements in a trussed roof system:
A. Rafters which support the roofing materials,
B. Purlins to provide intermediate support to rafters, and
C. Trusses to provide support to the ends of purlins.
The trusses are connected to each other through purlins, which are placed at
right angles to the sloped rafters and are secured to them through nails or
cogged joints and cleats.
 Cont...

The various types of trusses include the following

1. King-post truss 2. Queen post truss 3. Mansard truss 4. Steel trusses
5. Composite Trusses
 King-post truss
In a king-post truss, the central vertical post, called as king post provides a
support for the tie beam. The inclined members are known as struts are used to
prevent the principal rafters from bending at the centre. A king-post truss can be
used economically for spans 5 to 8 metres.
 Cont...
 Queen post truss
It can be used for spans 9 to 14 meters. It varies from the king-post truss in
having two vertical members known as queen-posts. The heads of the queen-
posts are put apart by a horizontal member known as straining beam. The head
of the queen post is made wider to receive the principal rafter and the straining
beam.
 Cont...
 Mansard truss
It is a combination of king-post and queen post truss. The upper portion has a
shape of a king-post truss and the lower portion resembles to queen-post truss.
The truss has two pitches. The upper pitch varies from to and the lower pitch
varies from to . This type of truss is economical in cost and in space and an
extra room may be provided in the room.
 Cont...
 Steel trusses
The use of steel trusses become economical for spans greater than 12 metres.
Various standard shapes and sizes or rolled steel are available for the fabrication
of steel trusses. This type of truss is designed in a manner that members are
either in compression or in tension, and bending stress is not allowed to develop
in them. The size and type of the truss depends upon the roof slope, span, centre
to centre distance of the trusses and the load coming over the roof.
 Cont...
 Composite Trusses
Composite trusses are fabricated with timber and steel. Steel is used for tension
members of the truss and the timber employed for compression members of the
truss. Special fittings are used to connect the wooden members with steel
members. A typical composite truss is illustrated in Figure below.
 6.5 Roof Covering Materials

Following are the roof covering materials

 Thatch Covering  Asbestos cement sheets
 Galvanized corrugated iron sheets
 Wood Shingles  Light weight roofing
 Tiles
THATCH COVERING
 This is the cheapest roof covering, commonly used in villages.
 It is very light, but is highly combustible.
 It is unstable against high winds. It absorbs moisture & liable to decay.
 The framework to support thatch consists of round bamboo rafters spaced 20
to 30 cm apart & tied with split bamboos laid at right angles to the rafters.
 In order to drain roof effectively a minimum slope of 450 is kept.
 The thickness of thatch covering should at least be 15cm, normal thickness
varies from 20 to 30 cm.
Cont...
 Cont...

WOOD SHINGLES
 It is use is restricted to hilly areas were local timber is easily available at low
cost.
 Though it is light weight, it is not fire & termite resistant.
 It is obtained from well seasoned timber.
 They are obtained in lengths varying from 30 to 40 cm & widths varying 6
to 25 cm.
 They are approximately 10mm thick at the tail or butt end and taper to 3mm.
 Cont...

TILES
 It is the oldest type of roof covering materials & is still preferred for
residential building and country houses.
 This is because country tiles are manufactured from locally available earth.
 Following are the various types of tiles generally used:-
• Plain tiles
• Curved tiles
• Italian or Allahabad tiles
• Interlocking tiles
• Spanish tiles
 Cont...

PLAIN TILES
 Plain tiles are made of clay or concrete, though clay are more common.
 Plain or flat tiles are manufactured in rectangular shapes, of sizes varying
form 25cm X 15 cm to 28 cm X 18 cm, with thickness from 9mm to 15 mm.
 The tiles are not perfectly flat, but have slight camber of 5 to 10 mm in their
length.
 Before laying the tiles, common rafters are laid at 20 to 30 cm spacing.
 Battens are then fixed across the rafters at a spacing 4 to 6cm.
 Cont...

CURVED OR PAN TILES

 Pan tiles are 33 to 36 cm long, 22.5 to 25 cm wide and 12 to 19 mm thick.
 They are flat longitudinally, but are curvedtransversely to a flat wave or S-
curve.
 Cont...

SPANISH TILES
 This tiles are commonly used in villages.
 These tiles are laid in pairs of under-tiles and over-tiles.
 The under-tiles are laid with concave surface upwards while the over-tiles
are laid with convex surface upwards
 Cont...

ITALIAN OR ALLAHABAD TILES

 These tiles are also used in pairs- flat broad bottom under-tile which
alternate with convex curved over-tile.
 The under-tile is flat, tapered with upturned edges or flanges at the sides.
 Cont...

INTER-LOCKING TILES
 These tiles are available with patent locking devices, the object of which is
to prevent them dislodgment even in most exposed condition.
 These tiles are machine made.
 Cont...

ASBESTOS CEMENT SHEETS

 These sheets are manufactured from asbestos fiber (@ 15%) & Portland
cement.
 These sheets are now becoming popular for industrial buildings, factories,
sheds, auditorium & even residential building.
 They are cheap, light weight, tough, durable, water tight, fire-resisting.
 The main advantage is that they are available in bigger units, hence
supporting frame is also cheaper, easier and lighter.
 These sheets do not require any protective paint.
 Construction with A.C. sheets are very fast.
 Following points should be noted while fixing A.C.
 sheets:-
 The A.C. sheets should be laid with smooth side upward.
 End lap and side lap should be properly maintained. General end lap is 15cm
but this can be varied to suit purlin spacing.
 Cont...
 Purlin spacing and length of sheets should be properly checked before
linked.
 The holes for fixing accessories should be drilled (not punched) in the crown
of the corrugations. The diameter of the holes should be 3 mm greater than
the diameter of the fixing bolt or screw. Thus 8mm dia. drilled holes and
screwed lightly.
 Bitumen washers should be provided under G.I. flat washer. The nuts of the
screws or bolts are moderately tightened when 10 to 12 sheets have been
laid. They should not be screwed very tight.
 Ridge capping should be secured to the ridge purlin.
 The sheets should be ‘mitred’ properly as required.
 The unsupported overhang of A.C. sheets should not exceed 30cm.
Cont...
 Cont...

GALVANIZED IRON CORRUGATED SHEETS (G. I. SHEETS)

 G.I. sheets are also widely used.
 They are stronger than A.C. Sheets.
 Due to higher cost, they are replaced by A.C. sheets.
 They are not used for slopes flatter than 1in 4.
 G.I. sheets are made from iron sheets which are galvanized with zinc to
protect them from rusting action of water & wet weather.
 These sheets are fixed in a manner similar to A. C. sheets.
 Cont...

LIGHT WEIGHT ROOFING

 The wide span industrial structures, it is desirable to reduce the weight of
roof , so that structural framing can be economical.
 The light weight roofing materials are of two types:-
A. Sheeting:-
I. Aluminum Sheet
II. Asbestos cement sheet
B. Decking:-
I. Wood Wool
II. Straw board
III. Aluminum alloy and Steel decking
 Cont...

Asbestos cement sheet Aluminum Sheet

Wood Wool

Straw board Aluminum alloy and Steel decking

 6.6 Choice of Roof Covering
Materials
The following are the various factors which need considerations in selecting a
roof covering for a building:
 Climate of the locality
 Type of the building
 Initial cost
 Maintenance
 Durability
 Resistance to fire
 Heat insulation
 Weight of the roof covering
 Appearance
 Cont...
 Climate of the Locality: The selection of roof covering material depends
upon the geographical position of the place and prevailing climate
throughout the year. Wooden shingles may be suitable for dry places
whereas they may prove very unsuitable for wet places. Corrugated G.I.
sheet are not suitable for very hot places.
 Type of the Building: The roof covering material must be selected to match
the building and type of roof structure over it.
 Initial Cost. The cost consideration is after all most important factor for
guiding the selection of roof covering material. The initial cost varies from
place to place and it also depends on the time. Clay tiles are cheaper at
places where good brick-earth is available with facilities of making good
tiles. State roofing or wooden shingles will prove cheaper in hilly areas. At
the time of considering the initial cost of roof covering materials, the
additional cost due to the supporting members should be also considered.
 Cont...
 Maintenance. The cost of maintenance is an important consideration at the
time of deciding the type of roof covering material. Wooden shingles and
tiles require less maintenance than that of thatch roof covering.
 Durability: The economy of the roof covering material depends upon the
durability of the material. It is governed by many factors and varies from
place to place. Under normal prevailing conditions slate, tiles, etc. have
longer life. Asbestos cement sheets or wooden shingles have medium life.
Thatch roof covering has very limited life.
 Resistance to fire: Fire-resistant property of roof covering material should
be also considered. Clay tile, metal sheet or slates are more fire resistance as
compared to thatch roof covering.
 Heat Insulation: The rooms of the building will be heated, if heat is allowed
to be transmitted through the roof covering. This may be undesirable in
tropical countries.
 Cont...
 Appearance: Appearance of the roof covering material is an important
consideration from the architectural point of view . Clay tiles or shingles
impart good appearance in some cases. Cement tiles are satisfactory for
industrial buildings. Asbestos cement coverings do not look attractive unless
some special treatment is made.
 Type of Construction: To provide a particular type of roofcovering
material, some special type of supporting structures may be required.
 Weight of the Roof Covering: Heavier roof covering materials required
stronger supporting structure. This increases the cost on the whole. Clay tiles
and slates are the heavier types of the roof coverings whereas asbestos
cement roof covering are lighter. The metal sheet roof coverings are very
light in weight
 6.7 Review Questions

1. Define a roof. What are the primary functions of a roof in a building?

2. What are the basic requirements of a good roof?
3. Define a pitched roof.
4. List any six forms of pitched roofs.
5. What is a lean-to roof and what maximum span is a lean-to roof
suitable?
6. Define the following terms:
 Ridge
 Eaves
 Gable
 Valley
 Hip
7. Explain different types of roof trusses (e.g., king post, queen post,
Mansard truss, Steel trusses, and Composite Trusses)
 Cont...

8. Briefly describe the difference between a gable roof and a hip roof.
9. What are purlins, and what is their role in pitched roofs?
10. Differentiate between a collar beam roof and a collar and tie roof.
11. State the advantages of using steel trusses for large span roofs.
12. What are the main considerations when selecting a roof covering material?
13. Compare and contrast king-post and queen-post trusses with labeled
diagrams.