Improving Cyclone Resistant Characteristics of roof cladding of industrial sheds in India

Cyclones still cause considerable damage to industrial sheds, in spite of the significant input during their construction. This paper presents the research carried out to improve the cyclone resistant characteristics of roofing sheet systems used in India. Cyclone wind speed data available from Indian Meteorology Department was analyzed and the results are presented. The normal wind data for a cyclone free year is analyzed. It is seen that enormous number of load cycles of differing magnitudes act on the structure during its lifetime. To minimize the fatigue damage accumulation due to this, a methodology is proposed. Static uplift tests were done to determine the ultimate load capacities of roofing sheet systems with different connections for the commonly adopted span of 1.4m. Suitable roofing sheet systems are identified for each wind zone. To ensure that the roofing sheet systems for cyclone prone zones do not undergo fatigue failure during cyclones, they are tested under simulated cyclonic wind loads. Based on these, recommendations are given for disaster resistant construction of roofs of industrial shed.