Curved roofs

CURVED ROOFS

Curved Roof is the modification of pitched roof. As the name implies, the roof surface is curved in one or more directions. Curved roofs are used for covering large area.

Types of Curved Roofs

1. Shell Roof and 2. Dome Roof.

1. SHELL ROOF

Shell Roof is used for covering big structures. As the shell section needed is very thin, a lot of material is saved. Dead load is very much less. The shell acts as a membrane free from high bending stresses.

Two types of Shell Roofs are:

(a) North-light Shell Roof (Fig. 16)

See Fig. 16. It contains Shell Roof, Glazing, Edge Beam and Valley Beam.

Uses: North-light shell roof is used where sunlight is essential. For big buildings such as industrial buildings, assembly halls, libraries, etc., R.C.C. shells are used. In small buildings, shell roofs made of either brick or plain concrete is used.

(b) Barrel Vault Shell Roof (Fig. 17)

It has a long multiple Cylindrical Shell with Edge Beams. It is used where sunlight is not a must.

2. DOME ROOF

A Dome is a semi-spherical or semi-elliptical shaped structure. It is used where the building is circular or hexagonal in plan. It is supported on circular or regular polygon shaped walls. It is a very thin structure. It is constructed of brick or stone or concrete.

Dome is used where architectural treatment is needed. This type of roof is most suitable for Monuments and Places of worship.