Investigation into the nonuniform temperature effect of a large-span stainless steel roof system under solar radiation

Metal roof systems have been widely used in various landmark buildings. The effect of the temperature of a large-span metal roof system under solar radiation is significant. As the latest roof form, the continuous welded stainless steel roof (CWSSR) system shows many unknown behaviors under the action of temperature. The purpose of this work is to analyse the temperature field and temperature effect of the CWSSR system under solar radiation and to select the appropriate support layouts to reduce the temperature effect of the CWSSR system. First, an experimental study on the temperature field of the CWSSR system was carried out. Finite element analysis of the temperature field distribution was then performed, and the validity of the finite element method was verified by comparing the experimental results. Finally, the influence of different support layouts on the temperature effect of the CWSSR system was researched. The results show that there is an obvious nonuniform distribution of the temperature field and temperature effect of the CWSSR system under solar radiation. The maximum temperature difference between the roof panel and the ambient temperature is 39.4 °C. By using arrangements of cross-support and segmented support, the stresses of the roof panel and support can be effectively reduced, and the maximum reductions are 14.4 % and 38.9 %, respectively. The investigation results contribute the most to the safe design of metal roof systems and are expected to provide guidelines for future applications of the CWSSR system.