CHAPTER 4

REMEDIAL MEASURES

The major factors to be considered during the initial stage of establishment of the garden are
the functional requirements of the garden, structural loading, site conditions such as climate,
wind, shading, accessibility to the vegetation and waterproofing requirements. Based on the
above requirements and criteria, the vegetation type is chosen as intensive or extensive. The
design and construction phase of the rooftop garden includes consideration of certain
important factors like land-scape design, plant species selection, wind load, the slope of the
terrace, estimation for the yield such as flowers, fruits or vegetables from the garden,
drainage, depth of substrate and irrigation arrangements, installation of waterproofing
membranes and measures to prevent root penetration into the roof and joints of the structure.
It is important to ensure the safety and prevention of structural failure. Proper and periodic
irrigation and monitoring for leakages and removing weeds and wastes are essential for
maintaining healthy rooftop vegetation and structural safety.

4.1 SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE GREEN ROOF SYSTEM FOR

RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE BULIDING
The selection of an appropriate green roof system could increase the durability of the
concrete beneath. Two types of green roof systems are in vogue; intensive green roof system
and extensive green roof system. An extensive vegetation system is generally out of reach,
and self-sustainability requires low irrigation and maintenance. This kind of vegetation needs
only a shallow depth of substrate. It includes a lesser range of species such as grasses,
mosses, succulents etc. It can sustain with a media layer of 2–20 cm . This vegetation has a
lesser weight varying between 60 to 50 kg/m2 and could retain 27 to 451 l/m2 of water.
Sedum varieties are most suitable for extensive vegetation, planted as cutting, pre-grown
mats or plugs. At the same time, a semi-intensive system includes a mix of plant types and
requires some maintenance periodically. It falls between extensive and intensive type
vegetation. This system has six inches of growing medium. On the other hand, an intensive
system needs frequent maintenance. There are huge varieties of plants available in this
intensive type. It includes larger plants and shrubs. These are heavy with a weight between
200 to 500 kg/m2 and could retain 70 to 130 l/m2 of water. The soil layer required will be
more than six inches, increasing structural load. An intensive green roof system is capable of
causing a structural load of more than six times as compared to an extensive system.
Therefore, an extensive green roof system is more suitable as it requires less water and
consequently results in less ingression of chlorides and reduced risk of sulphate attacks. Since
smaller species with shallow root systems are used, no intrusions and crack propagation will
be initiated.
It is important to note that the success of vegetation or plantation on a roof largely depends
on the properties of the substrate used between the roof and vegetation (i.e. nutrient storage,
drainage aeration, ion exchange). Moreover, the structural load capacity of the roof should
not be neglected. Before establishing a rooftop garden, the load-bearing capacity of the
building and the components should be analysed . The loads are to be calculated for their
maximum, especially when all the substrates are in a saturated condition. Generally,
lightweight structures could hold extensive vegetation, while heavy steel or concrete
structures could hold intensive vegetation. The type of vegetation, maintenance procedures,
and accessibility need to be adopted based on the loading capacity of the building. In the case
of creating a rooftop garden in an existing building, the heavier plants can be placed over
load-bearing structural components like beams or columns.

Fig 4.1 Extensive green roof