SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1980
STP27144S

Structural Testing of Mobile-Home Roof/Ceiling Assemblies

Source

Unlike roof/ceiling assemblies in conventional single-family homes, the mobile-home assembly normally is not sheathed. Thus the ability of the mobile-home roof structure to resist the forces resulting from lateral wind pressure against the side walls depends upon the diaphragm strength of the ceiling material. The ceiling is the primary element in the roof structure capable of resisting lateral forces along the edge of the roof diaphragm. In a mobile home, the ceiling performs not only a decorative function, but a structural one as well.

To evaluate the structural properties of mobile-home roof/ceiling assemblies, full-scale tests were conducted. Actual sections of mobile-home roof structures up to 3.66 by 8.53 m (12 by 28 ft) were tested, using a self-contained hydraulic test apparatus.

The results of the full-scale tests are translated into permissible shear wall spacings within the mobile home. The required diaphragm shear values depend on the anticipated wind loading on the mobile home and the desired shear wall spacing.

This paper discusses the origin of the test requirements in the codes and the development and design of the test frame and the loading system. Typical data from the tests and the application of the test results for mobile-home construction are also discussed.

Author Information

Fritz, TW
Product Fire Performance, Research and Development Center, Lancaster, Pa.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E06
Pages: 135–147
DOI: 10.1520/STP27144S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4771-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0368-9