Study on wind resistance performance and failure mechanism of reinforcement systems for standing seam metal roofs

The current research on the wind resistance of standing seam metal roofs primarily focuses on the failure modes of the entire roof panel and the contact areas between the seams and supports, with little consideration given to the synergy between the roof seam reinforcements, the web, and the supports. As a result, the failure mechanisms of roof systems cannot be accurately represented. This paper, based on wind uplift tests and ABAQUS simulation modeling, provides a detailed analysis of the wind resistance and failure mechanisms of reinforced standing seam metal roof systems. The study reveals that the deformation and failure of the roof system under wind load can be divided into three stages: elastic deformation, plastic deformation, and failure. In the elastic deformation stage, the areas with higher stress are mainly distributed in the mid-span of the roof panels and along the ribs, where the roof stress remains below the material's yield strength, and the displacement at the roof panel seams is minimal. During the plastic deformation stage, as the load increases, significant vertical deformations appear in the roof panels, the lateral displacement at the seams gradually increases, and the stress growth is pronounced. Without reinforcement, the roof panel withstands a maximum wind pressure of 3.2 kPa, with a central vertical displacement of 109 mm, while the ultimate lateral displacement at the seams reaches 2.3 mm, resulting in unseating failure, marking the structural failure. With reinforcement, the roof panel can withstand a maximum wind pressure of 4.3 kPa, corresponding to a central vertical displacement of 122 mm. The growth of lateral displacement at the seams slows down, and the reinforcement significantly suppresses seam displacement. As the load continues to increase, the reinforcements and the web work synergistically, exhibiting reciprocating counterclockwise and clockwise rotations, with the maximum lateral displacement at the seams increasing to 3.05 mm. Ultimately, unseating occurs at the roof panel seams or tearing at the web. Therefore, the reinforcement system significantly enhances the wind resistance of the roof system, providing theoretical guidance for wind-resistant design in roofing engineering.