Green Roof Structural Loads

Structural loads weight of green rooftops.

Green roof structural loads.

Sullivan engineering is uniquely qualified in green. Green roof planting options. Structural engineers determine the loading requirements of a roof to resist live loads forces such as snow rainwater rooftop equipment green roofs and maintenance crews as well as dead loads the basic roofing structure and materials. Astm e2397 is the established standard procedure for determining the dead and live loads associated with green roof systems.

Saturated with water the weight can increase by as much as 35 to around 100 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. Typically the entire green roof will have a uniform dead load based on the saturated weight of the green roof assembly though one may considering positioning planters or mounded growth media over structural support members to incorporate some strategically located deeper growth media for larger showcase plants. Specification drivers for green roofs. Thus they have more substantial structural loads and need more frequent maintenance and watering.

Intensive green roofs have more soil and a deeper growing medium sometimes several feet that can support a more diverse plant selection including small trees. One cubic foot of dry agricultural dirt or loam typically used for a green roof weighs between 75 and 81 pounds. They are usually accessible. A vast array of systems are available depending on the owner s budget intended use and roof deck load capacity.

Note that the use of soil load h in the asce load combinations was intended to cover lateral earth pressures. Suitable applications for each green roof system. The load bearing capacity of a building must be known before planning a green roof wall or facade. Semi intensive green roofs include features of both.

A structural engineer s advice is essential to ensure comprehensive design development based on the building s construction condition and weight loading capacity. With one of north america s first certified green roof professionals as well as a leed ap on staff combined with our expertise in roof consulting and structural engineering. Is to assume that the green roof is a soil load rather than a dead load.