Thermal-shock Resistance for Built-up Membranes

Book excerpt: The resistance of bituminous built-up roofing membranes to thermally induced forces is considered in terms of their strength properties such as breaking load in tension, modulus of elongation and apparent linear thermal expansion coefficient.The development of a Thermal-Shock Resistance Factor is described and values are given for three bituminous built-up membranes at temperatures of - 30F (-34.4C), 0F (-17.8C), 30F (-1.1C) and 73F (22.8C).The apparent relation between the values obtained in the laboratory and the observed performance of roofing membranes in service is considered.The utilization of the Thermal-Shock Resistance Factor in the reduction of potential failures of bituminous built-up roofing membranes in service from thermally induced forces is also discussed.(Author).