IBHS Roofing Research ARMA Steep Slope Committee Meeting August 14, 2013 Tanya M. Brown, PhD South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association Research Engineer
IBHS Research Center
Specimen Construction & Conditioning
Laboratory Building for Small Tests
Large Test Chamber 145 ft W x 145 ft L x 70 ft H test chamber 60 ft W x 30 ft H wind inlet 105 fans, each with 350 hp motors Enough power for 9,000 homes Flow volume = 20 X GREATER THAN Niagara Falls High-definition cameras & TV lighting
Recreating Mother Nature in the Lab Wind Data Gathered in Field During Disasters Engineers Use Data to Recreate Actual Wind Scenarios in Lab 105 Fans Bring Scenarios to Life
IBHS Research Center Results Gain a better understanding of: The risks themselves through field work and environmental analysis The real-world impact through damage surveys and claims analysis The existing test methods and their true applicability to actual performance Cosmetic vs. functional damage through full-scale testing Repair methodologies through full-scale testing after aging Effects of long-term aging on various materials Materials comparisons
IBHS Research Center Hail Projects Analysis: Correlate Radar & Ground Hail Observations Collaborative Result: Improved Estimates of Hail Events Analysis: Correlate Damage with Hail Event Characteristics Field Work: Hail Events & Characteristics Closed Claim Studies Goal: Improved Prediction of Hail Risk & Losses Making Realistic Hailstones Aging Studies Goal: Improved Performance of Building Products Lab Work: Hail Damage to Roof & Building Components Small-Lab Testing & Full-Scale Testing Collaborative Result: New / Improved Hail Impact Test Methods Collaborative Result: Improved Product Performance Standards
Hailstone Characteristics Field Project Collect scientific information on the properties of severe hailstones: 1. Size 2. Mass 3. Hardness
Hailstone Characteristics Field Project Develop relationships between hailstone characteristics and environmental/radar data Coordinated field deployment Project domain: Northern, Central and Southern Plains
Hailstone Characteristics Field Project May 25-June 8, 2012 15 datasets 9 storms May 16-22, 2013 33 datasets 8 storms May 30-June 5, 2013 6 datasets 4 storms 7 days 0.16 in. - 3.05 in. sizes 9 psi - 620 psi compressive stress 4 days 0.04 in. 1.89 in. sizes 1 psi 673 psi compressive stress 3 days 0.28 in. 4.21 in. sizes 8 psi 1097 psi compressive stress
Hailstone Characteristics Field Project
Making Realistic Hailstones Density Artificial hailstones varies from 0.45-1.1 g/cm3 Natural hailstones varies from 0.1-0.9 g/cm3 (historical studies) Compressive Stress Artificial hailstones varies from 3-308 psi Natural hailstones 1-1097 psi (limited field dataset)
Making Realistic Hailstones
Full-Scale Impact Testing 12 hail pods on upper catwalk - Computer-controlled firing system - Fully-controllable shooting speeds - Fully-controllable shooting frequencies
Full-Scale Impact Testing 3 sizes: - 1 in. - 1.5 in. - 2 in. Adaptable for different sizes Structural vs. Aesthetic Damage Repair vs. Replace Methodologies
Full-Scale Impact Testing Media demonstration: Feb. 20, 2013 Comparison of performance of shingle types - Impact-rated (Class 4) architectural asphalt shingles - Non-rated 3-tab asphalt shingles - Metal panel: two installation types Soft metal materials Windows and door
Full-Scale Impact Testing
Full-Scale Impact Testing Test New & Aged Specimens Future Research (after automatic hailstone production) Repair & Replace Methodologies Age Test against water intrusion Test against water intrusion Provide Guidance on Best Practices
Small-Lab Impact Testing Systematic approach to study: 1. Aging and climate effects 2. Materials start with 3-tab and laminate asphalt shingles 3. IR vs. non-ir products 4. Structural vs. aesthetic damage 5. UL, FM, IBHS hailstone impacts 6. Material warranties 7. Roof pitch Goal = Develop statistically based damage curves for size, density, and hardness of hailstones
Aging Studies Naturally age small roof specimens for wind and hail testing for up to 20 years Test at five-year increments (baseline = new) Multiple test panels for each age, north and south facing Laminate and 3-tab asphalt shingles
Aging Studies RIDGE LINE 50 in. x 66 in. panels - 2 north-facing - 2 south-facing 36 in. x 36 in. panels - 1 north-facing - 1 south-facing
Aging Studies For all specimen panels, 5-minute sampling frequency of: - Temperature of shingle surface at center of panel - Temperature between shingles and underlayment at center of panel - Temperature between underlayment and deck at center of panel Six specimens with additional measurements: - Temperature and relative humidity inside attic - Shingle surface temperature measurements at rakes, eaves, and edges
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study Hailstorms caused more than $875 million in insured losses Claims study comparing: - Roofing material performance - Aging - Relative difference in roofing damage vs. walls/windows/doors/trim damage - Radar-estimated hail severity vs. claim severity More than 67,000 policies in force More than 6,600 claims
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study Distribution of Damage Roof Damage 91.7% Other Damage 6.1% Other 2.2% Wall Damage 0.9% Window Damage 1.3% Door Damage 0.1%
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study Distribution of Roof Covers 3-tab comp / Arch Comp 79.19% Unknown 18.80% Other 2.02% Metal 0.65% Tile 0.93% Wood 0.24% Slate 0.20%
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study *Very small sample sizes of non-asphalt products
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study *Very small sample sizes of non-asphalt products
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study
May 24, 2011 DFW Claims Study
Roofing Best-Practices Manuals Partnership between RICOWI, IBHS, roofing industries (tile, wood, metal, asphalt, single-ply) Electronic guides with pictures, descriptions, links to materials, videos Intended audiences - Roofing consultants - Roofing contractors - Insurance agents and underwriters - Insurance claims adjusters - Building code officials - Inspectors - Homeowners and business owners
Roofing Best-Practices Manuals Content - General Product Information - Standards and Codes Wind, Fire, Hail, Seismic, Cold Climates - Energy Efficiency - Installation Guidelines - Repair and Maintenance Guidelines - Damage Issues Wind, Fire, Hail, Seismic, Cold Climates - Industry Resources Staged roll out of content from Fall 2013 into Summer 2014
Questions? Tanya Brown tbrown@ibhs.org