1. What is Polycarbonate Roofing Thickness Calculation?

The polycarbonate roofing thickness calculation determines the minimum required thickness of polycarbonate sheets to safely support expected snow loads while limiting deflection. This ensures structural integrity and prevents damage to the roofing material.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following engineering formula:

Where:

• \( Snow\ Load \) — Expected snow load in kg/m²
• \( Span \) — Distance between supports in meters
• \( Modulus \) — Modulus of elasticity of polycarbonate (typically 2.3 GPa)
• \( Deflection\ Limit \) — Maximum allowed deflection in meters

Explanation: The formula calculates the thickness needed to prevent excessive bending under load while maintaining structural stability.

3. Importance of Proper Thickness

Details: Correct thickness calculation prevents roof collapse under snow load, ensures durability, and maintains proper water drainage by limiting deflection.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Use local building codes for snow load requirements
• Typical deflection limit is L/120 (span/120)
• Standard modulus for polycarbonate is 2.3 GPa
• All values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical snow load value?
A: Varies by location - ranges from 50 kg/m² in mild climates to 300+ kg/m² in heavy snow regions.

Q2: How does span affect thickness?
A: Thickness increases with the square of the span - doubling span requires 4x thickness.

Q3: What's the standard deflection limit?
A: Typically L/120 for roofs, meaning span/120 (e.g., 0.01m for 1.2m span).

Q4: Can I use this for other plastics?
A: Only with proper modulus value - polycarbonate has different properties than PVC or acrylic.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, most designs include 1.5-2x safety factor beyond calculated thickness.