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Wind Zones/Analysis on Complex Roofs

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OHEcoEng

Civil/Environmental
Nov 2, 2010
32
I have been pondering this for a while now, and decided to see if anyone has any perspectives on this issue.

Refer to the attached jpg showing a roof being considered for a solar array.

The attached detail shows a hip roof with multiple dormers; three dormers on the SE corner of this building are to have four solar modules attached to each. I am attempting to provide uplift calculations for the array in question for an alternative mounting method (different from the original EOR). I am starting to see why his mounting method appeared to be overkill...

The forces on the mounting hardware are to be evaluated as components and cladding, but I am struggling to determine wind zones and procedures for this. First, should the dormers be evaluated as separate structures, or should they be looked at as part of the larger roof (fig. 6-11C).

OR

would this be evaluated as a "multispan gabled roof" (Figure 6-13)?

In either case, how are the wind zones to be defined?

The main structure in this case is 215 ft (N/S) and 75 ft (E/W). The small dormers in question are 14 ft (N/S) and 28 ft (E/W).

Then, of course, there is the big picture depicted in jpg 2.

I'd like to hear how others would view this.

Mike
 
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You have a rather complex roof zone issue. I would simplify by considering the dormers as an edge condition over their entire area. Their "corner" conditions are small.

Once this is done, then all other zones are straightforward.
 
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