Rare Weather Phenomena and the Work of Large-Format Roof Coverings

Abstract

Wind action belongs to loads that are environmentally variable. Wind action is included in the basic combination of loads, whereas hurricane wind action is classified as a unique combination. Due to large gusts of wind, the roof coverings of large-scale buildings are exposed to detachment of their cover layer. The article presents the effects of over-normative wind, which occurred on January 19, 2018 and was named the cyclone Frederic/David. The purpose of the article is to show that in design of roof coverings made of large-format materials, such as membranes, it is crucial to accept wind load values properly in order to ensure a right spacing between fasteners. The presented results might be an important contribution to the debate on the necessity for increasing the fundamental value of the basic wind velocity in the perimeter and corner zones of large-format roofs.