PREDICTING PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION UNDERNEATH LOOSE LAID ROOF CLADDING SYSTEMS

The objective of this paper is to assess the validity of using Laplace 's equation to predict pressure distributions underneath loose laid ro of cladding systems installed on flat rooftops. The paper outlines a m ethod for solving Laplace's equation for this application and presents comparisons between computed and experimental pressure distributions. The work indicates that Laplace's equation provides reasonably good p redictions of the pressure distributions. This provides a basis for im proved predictions of wind-induced failure of this type of roofing sys tem.