Cold-formed steel roofing systems made of high strength and thin steel roof sheeting, battens and purlins/rafters/trusses become increasingly popular in Australia. However, high wind events such as tropical cyclones, tornadoes and thunderstorms often cause severe losses of thin steel roofing systems. Localised failures occurring at the screwed connections (both thin steel roof sheeting to batten and roof batten to rafter/purlin/truss) often trigger such severe failures of roofing systems. Some of the localised connection failures observed during recent high wind events are shown in the figures below. We undertake detailed research studies (both experimental and numerical studies) at QUT to investigate such critical failures and, develop suitable test, design and strengthening methods to enhance the safety of light gauge steel roofing systems under high wind loads.
Cyclone Ingrid – 2005
Pull-through/Pull-out Failures of Thin Steel Roof Sheeting and Pull-through/Pull-out/Bending Failures of Thin Steel Roof Battens
Cyclone Larry – 2006
Pull-through/Pull-out Failures of Thin Steel Roof Sheeting and Pull-through/Pull-out/Bending Failures of Thin Steel Roof Battens
Cyclone George – 2007
Shoalwater and Roleystone WA Tornadoes – 2008
Cyclone Yasi – 2011
Cyclone Debbie – 2017
