Winter Roof Collapses: Bad Luck or Bad Design�
An overview of the collapses in 1978 and 1979 in Chicago and in the Northeast shows that, in most instances, the design codes are adequate. Designers, however, have not paid sufficient...
What's New in Roofing�
For 75 years the waterproof membranes in roofs were made the same way�layers of bitumen alternating with layers of felt. Now for the first time prefabricated membranes of synthetics are...
Chevrolet Raises the Roof
Chevrolet's Gear and Axle plants in Detroit needed more space so a decision to renovate the 60-yr old structures rather than relocate the operation was made. New roof structures...
Prefab Structural Components Solve Expansion Problem
Another story was added onto an existing low-rise building, where soil strength was so low that the new floor had to be built by sinking new columns down to a sounder stratum, placing...
King Post Truss System Cuts Roof Framing Cost by 30%
The design was based on requirements for minimally obstructed sight lines (Robin Hood Dell Open-Air Theater, Philadelphia, Pa.) for outdoor seating and a tight construction budget of $4,500,000....
Fabric Roofs Feel the Pressure
Plastic-coated fabric roofs have been growing in popularity with uses ranging from covering a football stadium in Michigan to housing satellite-tracking stations. Article takes a look...
Olympic Construction for Olympic Games
Montreal is preparing at full speed for the Olympic Games. The precast, post-tensioned concrete velodrome will seat 10,000. It will be available for conventions, public meetings, exhibits,...
The Floating Cover: Best Way to Cover a Finished-Water Reservoir�
With the increased attention being given to drinking-water quality in recent years, many states have been pressuring towns and cities to cover their open, finished-water reservoirs. Years...
Largest and Lightest Fabric Roof to Date
A dome concept that could change roof design throughout the world is being used on the new Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium in Michigan. The roof is a cable restrained air supported fiberglass...
The Darwin Cyclone�� Valuable Lesson in Structural Design
Eighty percent of Darwin, Australia's residential buildings were severly damaged in the wake of cyclone Tracy in the early hours of December 25, 1974. Overall damage was caused...
Design of Cylindrical Concrete Shell Roofs
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