Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
(OP)
I'm trying to better understand how the roof pieces for an umbrella roof are fabricated. I understand that they are rolled in a single direction and that they are roughly triangular. However, I've also seen references to "gore segment" from IFRs (here) which seems to make sense to me but I'm not sure if it applies here. Here is an example - Let's say I want to fabricate a roof plate. Tank diameter is 50' and umbrella radius is 60. There are 24 segments. There is a 10' diameter compression ring. The dimensions of the sheet steel are as follows:

Lr = 20.781' (arc length of sheet steel)
B.max = pi*D.tank/24 = 6.545'
B.min = pi*D.comp_ring/24 =1.309
My question becomes - should the sides of this plate be curved when viewed in plan view or straight? Curved would be like a gore segment (see here). Or, since the plates are only rolled in one direction, is this not required? I suppose the plates will be lapped so there is some tolerance, so I'm curious to know what is "typical" and what is "exact".

Lr = 20.781' (arc length of sheet steel)
B.max = pi*D.tank/24 = 6.545'
B.min = pi*D.comp_ring/24 =1.309
My question becomes - should the sides of this plate be curved when viewed in plan view or straight? Curved would be like a gore segment (see here). Or, since the plates are only rolled in one direction, is this not required? I suppose the plates will be lapped so there is some tolerance, so I'm curious to know what is "typical" and what is "exact".
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
- The two sides SHALL be curved , bottom straight..
- The umbrella roof composed of plates rolled in one direction only,
- If there are 24 segments ( each segment has 15 degr. in plan ) , you will get icosikaitetragon ( polygon having 24 sides) at every horizontal section.
- For plan view, divide the gore say ten sections , calculate the corresponding width and plot these widths..It is easy in CAD.
- Consider similar method for segmental bends . Your segments would be similar with red painted piece.
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
One way to do this:
In CAD, draw the roof in plan and elevation and put these directly in line, one above the other.
The plan will be a circle with a bunch of radial lines, straddle the horizontal centerline.
The elevation will be a bunch of arcs that start at the tank shell and meet at the middle.
Subdivide the arc into equal lengths (say 12" for this discussion).
Draw vertical lines through these points to the plan view.
Trim these lines by the edges of one plate segment.
Pull these chord lines out, separating them by 12".
Connect the ends to form an arc.
Compare this arc to a line drawn between the end points of the first and last chord lines.
Decide if the difference between the arc and the straight line is significant.
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
One question - would this drawing be the same for a true sphere/dome as it is for a umbrella.
Not sure why I'm having such a hard time wrapping my head around this.
Thanks again!
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
Take a look at an umbrella, then at a balloon with radial lines drawn on it?
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
- The definition of Umbrella Roof;
- I have checked with hand calculation , the difference between straight and curved is negligible , however, the end should be straight . If you make a curved end, the mid point will touch to the top angle but the two corners will not..
- The Maximum radius = 1.2D ..In this case , R= 60' and D= 50' which is the allowable max.
- I do not have any idea for the roof loading and design pressure but in the case if CA is applicable and heavy loading , the plate thk . could be a problem .( shall not be more than 13 mm.)
- I have attached the following fig. from the book Guide to Storage Tanks and Equipment ( By Bob Garner )
Good Luck..
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
At first, I was thinking that the edge should be "radiused" as I originally showed and as IFRs has explained. But then when I think about this more, I'm starting to agree with HTURKAK. If the plate is "radiused" when viewed from plan, then the plate edges would lift unless the plate is "rolled" in the second direction which by definition is should not be. However, maybe the plates are flexible enough where this is done in the field?
- Is there a mathematical expression for this that you could share? This might help me come to terms with this easier. Again, I know it to be right, but I can't explain it. I imagine a cone roof which would have straight sides to the plate. Then I imagine curving that plate and I can imagine the seam coming apart, but I think that's because I imagine it turning into a sphere. Anyway, thanks again for your input.
Edit:
At the compression ring:
I believe that the plate butts into the face of the ring, but please correct me if I am wrong. Therefore, this plate would be radiused and if viewed in elevation, there would be a small arc(the ends being slightly higher than the middle). Correct?
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication
The easiest way is , to work with CAD. You may also develop a spreadsheet using the rules of geometry and trigonometry. I attached picture of my hand calc sheet.
EDIT: I have calculated the difference between straight and curved is less than 7 mm for one side which seems negligible if the joint is lapped with say 50 mm..
Good luck..
RE: Umbrella Roof Geometry and Fabrication