Effects of slope curvature, ridge height and layered roofs on wind pressures on traditional-Chinese-style gable-hip and gable roofs

Abstract

Curved slope profiles, high ridges and layered roofs are important features of traditional Chinese buildings, and they affect wind pressures and loads on roofs. Wind loadings on traditional Chinese hip roofs have been studied (Shan et al., 2018). However, traditional Chinese gable-hip roofs and gable roofs are as important as hip roofs, and their wind loading characteristics need to be investigated. Wind tunnel tests are performed on linear-slope gable-roof building models, as well as traditional Chinese building models with gable- and gable-hip roofs to investigate and estimate the necessary wind-resistant capacity of cladding tiles. Effects of roof curvature, ridge height and layered roofs on wind loadings on traditional Chinese gable roofs and traditional Chinese gable-hip roofs are investigated. Roof curvature of a gable roof can enlarge the peak area-averaged pressure and increase the resultant lift force. With increase in ridge height of a traditional Chinese gable roof, peak pressures increase while resultant lift forces decrease. Layered roofs decrease peak pressures but increase resultant lift forces on double-layer gable-hip roofs. As a result, wind pressures on traditional Chinese roofs can be significantly influenced by all three unique shape characteristics.