Partnership for Advancing Technologies in Housing: An Advanced All Natural Composite Roof For Residential Construction

University Of Delaware, Newark DE

Investigators

Abstract

An Advanced All Natural Composite Roof For Residential Construction The objective of the proposed research is to develop a monolithic, all-natural composite roof system for residential construction. The roof will be fabricated from novel composite materials made from soybean oil resins and natural fibers. The composite resins are derived from soy beans, a seasonal crop that is already grown in large quantities in the U.S.; the natural fibers to be used are derived from seasonal crops grown specifically for the fiber or are byproducts and waste of other crops. The roof will be designed to carry all of the loads a conventional roof is designed for, will have an integral weather protection surface, and will offer intrinsic insulation. The specific objectives of the proposed project are to (1) design and optimize the soy-based resin, all-natural composite material for roof applications; (2) develop and test a weather protection layer that is integral to the composite roof; and (3) design, analyze, and test the roof structural system. Organized through the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, the interdisciplinary effort brings together expertise in chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and civil engineering. The research plan is organized into two primary thrusts: (1) materials research and (2) structural design and testing. The materials research thrust will comprise (a) tailoring of all-natural resins for the composite roof system, (b) tailoring of composites for the roof system, and (c) aging, durability and development of a weather protection surface. The structural design and testing thrust will address (a) preliminary designs, (b) analysis and testing of small components, and (c) analysis and testing of large roof components. The all-natural composite roof system combines a number of unique features that together will achieve the four PATH goals and bring about a significant advance in residential construction.