Models for standing seam roofs

Damage to the roofing system during tropical windstorms often results in costly losses for industrial and commercial low-rise buildings. In this paper, finite element models are used to calculate the response of standing seam roofs to wind loading. The study is the first step in a comprehensive program, currently underway at FM Global Research, to develop mathematical models to estimate aggregate losses from severe windstorms. A three-dimensional static and dynamic analysis approach is developed, using ABAQUS, to incorporate details of the geometry and boundary conditions for the roof panels, seams, clips, fasteners and purlins. Only preliminary results are presented in this paper. Detailed validation of the model, using experiments conducted at the University of Western Ontario and at Mississippi State University are in progress. The validated model will be used to assess failure mechanisms of the roof components, fatigue demand, effectiveness of repair schemes and to supplement standard uniform static pressure tests. Additionally, the validated model will be used to construct the vulnerability curves for standing seam roofs.