Effect of Temperature on the Tensile Strength of Roofing Felt Seams

摘要

As fewer bituminous felt layers are currently used in roofing, the role of seamsin the overall durability of the roof is becoming more prominent. The tensile strength of seams is examined here by means of tests performed at different temperatures under laboratory conditions using both aged and non-aged specimens. SBS-modified and glass-fiber felts were used. The results indicate that shear fractures in the glass-fiber felt usually developed at the seams, in addition to which seam strength was found to decrease most at low temperatures by comparison with the seamless test sample. The seam of a SBS-modified felt did not constitute its weakest point, and fracturing usually took place elsewhere. (Copyright (c) Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus (VTT) 1992.)