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Author
Cullen, W. C.
Title
Solar Heating, Radiative Cooling, and Thermal Movement: Their Effects on Built-up Roofing. Technical Note.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Report
NBS TN 231
December 16, 1963
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
roofs, thermal analysis; solar heating; radiant cooling; energy absorption; sandwich structures; membranes; thermodynamic properties; district of columbia; thermal degradation | thermal analysis | thermal degradation
Abstract
Twenty different built-up roof construction specimens, covered with five surfacing materials, were subjected to natural solar heating and nighttime cooling. The temperatures and temperature changes observed during winter and summer exposures are discussed. The data indicate that the temperature attained in a roof membrane is influenced by the absorptance and emissivity of the surface as well as the thermal and physical properties of the substrate to which the roofing is applied. The data show that roofings placed over insulation may be heated to a temperature of 80F. above ambient due to solar heating and may be subcooled as much as 20F. below the ambient due to radiative cooling. The thermal movements which occur in the components of a roof system due to temperature change are discussed in relation to built-up roof performance and failures. (Author)