Roof Research Center. A preliminary concept paper

The US Department of Energy is placing a major new Roof Research Center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This Center is currently under design with completion scheduled for late 1987. The center will be designated as a National User Facility. This ensures that its unique capabilities will be accessible to all users on a priority basis. An industry-wide Advisory Panel will assist the Department of Energy in establishing priorities and setting schedules. The Center will house an Environmental Chamber capable of handling up to 12 ft by 12 ft roof specimens. Controlled parameters include temperature, humidity, rain, wind speed, and pressure differences. Detailed performance measurements and mathematical modeling will be emphasized. Experimental areas to be studied at the Center include heat transfer, membrane movement, roof fatigue, and moisture effects. 11 refs.