Research Spotlight: Impact of Clip Connection and Insulation Thickness on Bracing of Purlins in Stan

2017 Annual Stability Conference Presentation

Session S3 – Advances in Stability Bracing Wednesday, March 22, 2017 3:15 pm

Impact of Clip Connection and Insulation Thickness on Bracing of Purlins in Standing Seam Roof Systems

The flexural strength of purlins in standing seam roof systems is highly dependent upon the extent to which the sheathing provides lateral and torsional restraint.  For standing seam systems, the interface between the sheathing and purlin is bridged by a clip. For the sheathing to provide lateral restraint to the purlin, forces must be transferred over the height of the clip and the effects of this additional eccentricity is not well understood.  This paper reports the results of a series of 25 tests that quantify this eccentricity, referred to as effective standoff, for a representative sample of standing seam roof systems currently in use within the industry. The implications of this additional eccentricity on the bracing forces within a standing seam roof system are discussed.

Michael W. Seek and Daniel McLaughlin, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA