Failure Modes of a Reticulated Dome in a Small Airplane Crash

Since the 9/11 incident, many engineering research works have been conducted on the impact resistance of large-span space structures. In the present study, a small airplane, Bombardier Challenger 850, was chosen as the test subject. An airplane crash on a single-layered Kiewitt-8 reticulated dome with span 60 m considering roof sheathing effect was simulated using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software. The principles of establishing the numerical model of small airplanes were determined. In addition, the impact styles of small airplane and impact positions on the dome were investigated. The failure modes of reticulated dome with roof sheathing due to small airplane crash were identified. Furthermore, the failure modes between reticulated domes with and without roof sheathing were compared and the effect of roof sheathing on the failure modes of reticulated dome under a small airplane crash was investigated.

Assessment of wind speeds based on damage observations from the Angus (Ontario) Tornado of 17 June 2014

A tornado occurred in Angus, Ontario, during the late afternoon hours of 17 June 2014. The authors conducted a damage investigation on the morning following the storm. The damage indicators support the classification of the tornado as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, including the observation of several complete roof failures of recently-constructed, wood-frame houses. Most of the damage to residential homes was contained along two streets, with the tornado appearing to have gone down the backyards between the two. In total, 101 houses were observed to have sustained some level of damage. The evidence suggests that the quality of construction likely affected the performance of failed roofs. A detailed fragility analysis was conducted to assess wind speeds associated with these failures of the roof-to-wall connections. An overturned and lofted box truck provided the opportunity to correlate this failure with adjacent, repetitive failures of roof sheathing, shingles, and garage doors.

Investigation of the proposed solar-driven moisture phenomenon in asphalt shingle roofs

Unvented attics are an energy-efficiency measure to reduce the thermal load of the conditioned space and decrease the space conditioning energy consumption by about 10%. This retrofit is usually done by spraying polyurethane foam underneath the roof sheathing, and on the gables and soffits of an attic to provide an air barrier and a thermal control layer. Unvented attics perform well from this perspective, but from a moisture perspective sometimes homes with unvented attics have high interior humidity or moisture damage to the roof. As homes become more air tight and energy efficient, a better understanding of the hygrothermal dynamics of homes with energy-efficient envelopes becomes more important. One proposed reason for high unvented attic humidity has been that moisture can come through the asphalt shingle roof system and increase the moisture content of the roof sheathing and attic air. This has been called “solar-driven moisture.” Oak Ridge National Laboratory investigated this proposed phenomenon by examining the physical properties of a roof and the physics required for the phenomenon. Results showed that there are not favorable conditions for solar-driven moisture to occur. Oak Ridge National Laboratory also conducted an experimental study in a home with an unvented attic and compared the humidity below the roof sheathing before and after a vapor impermeable underlayment was installed. There was no statistically significant difference in absolute humidity before and after the impermeable underlayment was installed. The outcomes of the theoretical and experimental studies suggest that solar-driven moisture does not occur in any significant amount.