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View Full Version : Load bearing spec's for arch roof


Brian Bruns
11th September 2007, 20:30
Hey anyone,

Can anyone direct me to a link on what the load bearing spec's are on arched roof designs. I would like to build a shallow arched roof over the top of an ICF wall shell, and then cap the roof with reinforced concrete for earth cover. So, the fabricated roof would just need to hold the weight of the concrete until cured. I liked the reciprocal roof design mentioned in another post, but am considering just a straight arch from front to rear of house for simplicity reasons. I would prefer to build laminated wood arch's with planking over them as necessary, but could go to steel beams that could be rolled to form arch if the wood's load carring capacity falls short. I am looking at a 28' clear span, but could do some shoring of arch's until concrete set. Helpful comments or links appreciated. :)

Chuck Morrison
19th September 2007, 08:18
Hi Brian,
I know it would entail some work, but have you thought about prestressed (steel re-enforced) concrete arches ? They could be poured in place using the same forms for each one. I'm assuming a rectangular building design. Using that with some 4x12 purlins covered with pt (pressure treated) plywood should do the trick, although I'm not in a position to run numbers on it at the moment.

I personally don't like pt anything facing into the house, but sometimes it's unavoidable, like when doing ground facing or concrete facing surfaces.

Chuck