11/03/2013

LECTURE: M PAUL
(UPDATED:
AY2012/13, SEM 2)
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING DIVISION:
INTRODUCTION TO ROOFS

TOPICS
I. Definition & Functional
Requirements
II. Categories of Roofs
III. Pitch & Slope
IV. General Types of Roof Shapes
V. Parts of a Pitched Roof
VI. Reading Roof Shapes on Plans
VII. Roof Framing Methods
VIII.Rafter Calculations

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I. Definition & Functional Requirement

• Primary sheltering element for the interior
spaces of a building.
– Strength and Stability
– Thermal Insulation
– Weather Resistance
– Fire Resistance
– Sound Insulation

II. Categories of Roofs

• Flat/Low Sloped:
– angle not exceeding 10˚ or a pitch of 1/4
• Pitched Roofs:
– angle that exceeds 10˚ or a pitch of 1/4

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III. Pitch & Slope

• Slope: ratio of rise to run and is usually
referred to as a number in 12.
– for a roof that rises 6” for every foot (12”) of run,
the roof has a slope of 6:12
• Pitch is the ratio of rise to the span of the
roof and is expressed as a fraction.
– A roof that rises 8’ over a 32’ span is said to have a
pitch of ¼.
» National Center for Construction Education and Research,
U.S.

III. Pitch & Slope

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III. Pitch & Slope

IV. GENERAL TYPES OF ROOF

SHAPES

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Shed

Gable

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Hip

Butterfly

Bowtie House - Oakland Hills

San Francisco

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Clerestory

Gambrel/Barn

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Mansard

Bonnet

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Gablet/Dutch Hip

Half Hip/Clipped Gable

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V. Parts of a Pitched Roof

http://www.sherriffgoslin.com/blog/wp-
content/uploads/2012/06/roof-construction-diagram.jpeg

V. Parts of a Pitched Roof

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VI. Reading Roof Shapes on Plan

• One should be able to read the following on

plan:
– Ridge Lines
– Gable Lines
– Eaves lines
– Hip Lines
– Valley Lines

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Eaves Line

Walls
Gable line

Gable Line

Ridge Line
Ridge Line

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Eaves Line

Walls

Gable line

Ridge Line

Gable Line
Eaves lines define Ridge Line
how much roof
planes overhang
support walls

Eaves Line

Walls
Gable line

Ridge Line
Gable Line
Ridge Line

Ridge Lines define

where two
opposing roof planes
meet at
the highest point

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Eaves Line

Walls

Gable line

Ridge Line

Gable Line
Ridge Line
Gable Lines occur where
the ends of roof planes
run at 900 to the ridge
line. They may be flush
with end walls or form
an overhang

Hip Lines are created by the meeting of

Eaves Line

two roof planes forming an external corner.

The planes are usually at 90
Walls to each other
0
and where they intersect, a bisecting 450 hip line is
formed.
Gable line

Hip lines typically connect to the outer end of a ridge

Ridge Line
Gable Line

line.
Ridge Line

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Eaves Line
Valley Lines often run parallel to hip lines but always
occur at internal corners not external corners. In
Walls
addition, roof planes fall into valleys rather than falling
away from hips. Valleys connect to the ridge line but
always at the inner end.
Gable line

Ridge Line

Gable Line
Ridge Line

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VII. Roof Framing Methods

• Trusses
• On-site Framing
–(“Stick built”)

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TRUSSES

Rafters
Gussets

Webs

Bottom Cord Posts

Types of Roof Trusses

Mono (single slope)
Sheds attached to buildings
Spans 20 to 30 ft

Scissors
Higher center clearance
Spans 20 to 40 ft

Fink
Poplar efficient design
Spans 20 to 50 ft

Howe
Heavier ceiling loads than fink truss
Spans 20 to 50 ft

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Types of Roof Trusses

Pratt
Used with or without ceilings
Spans 20 to 60 ft

Belgian
Extended fink truss
Spans up to 80 ft

Bowstring
Difficult to construct
Spans 40 to 120 ft

IX. TYPES OF ROOF COVERINGS

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VI. Rafter Calculation

• Worksheets:

For the image above, determine the rise in rafter

for a pitch of 1/3, if the span is 30'-0".
Pitch = Rise/Span

VI. Rafter Calculation

• Worksheets:

Using the slope (rise over run) ratio of 4:12,

determine the rise in rafter, if the span is 30'-0".
Run = Span/2
Rise = Run x Slope Ratio

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VI. Rafter Calculation

• Worksheets:

Using the slope (rise over run) ratio of 4:12,

determine the rise in rafter, if the span is 30'-0".
Run = Span/2
Rise = Run x Slope Ratio

VI. Rafter Calculation

• Worksheets:
0 COMMON RAFTER

Determine the total length of a common rafter for

the image with a span of 30' and a 1/3 pitch, with
an overhang of 2'-0“, and a 2”x8” ridge-board.

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References
• 'Anvil Court', Dursley by John - 3D Warehouse. (n.d.). Trimble SketchUp. Retrieved from
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=df3c3f171fcb35fad1dcd8521df056c4
• 2 1/2" Corrugated Metal Roofing | Metal Roofing Georgia. (n.d.). Metal Roofing North East Georgia | Custom
Metal Roofing, Inc DBA. Retrieved from http://bmmetalroofing.com/2-12-corrugated-metal-roofing/
• 79. Mansard And Curb Roofs. (n.d.). ChestofBooks.com: Read Books Online for Free. Retrieved from
http://chestofbooks.com/architecture/Construction-Superintendence/79-Mansard-And-Curb-Roofs.html
• A Mansard Roof Dwelling. (n.d.). ChestofBooks.com. Retrieved from http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scientific-
american/sup2/A-Mansard-Roof-Dwelling.html
• Butterfly Roof Design, Pictures, Remodel, Decor and Ideas. (n.d.). Houzz - Home Design, Decorating and
Remodeling Ideas and Inspiration, Kitchen and Bathroom Design. Retrieved from http://www.houzz.com/butterfly-
roof
• How to create a cross gable roof - Chief Architect Software Help. (n.d.). Home Designer Software | Top-Ranked
House Design Software | Interior Design Software | Chief Architect. Retrieved from
http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/displayfaq.php?faqNumber=1043
• Low-E Housing. (n.d.). Elements Online Environmental Magazine / Éléments Revue écologique en direct. Retrieved
from http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/energy/solar/saltbox.htm
• Mansard And Curb Roofs. (n.d.). ChestofBooks.com. Retrieved from
http://chestofbooks.com/architecture/Construction-Superintendence/79-Mansard-And-Curb-Roofs.html
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (U.S.), & Pearson/Prentice Hall.).Construction
technology: Trainee guide. Princeton, N.J: Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.
• Saltbox Revival: Recent Past Revealed. (n.d.). Recent Past Revealed. Retrieved from
http://recentpastnation.org/?page_id=1257
• Sean & Joana's Shed Roof. (n.d.). Sean's Home Page. Retrieved from http://www.seans.com/Default_Shed.htm
• The Slippery Slope of Pitch… « Mike’s Tech Math Blog. (n.d.). Mike’s Tech Math Blog. Retrieved from
http://mikelindstrom.wordpress.com/2006/11/14/the-slippery-slope-of-pitch/

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