The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of modified roof edge geometry in the reduction of high suction pressures at roof corner and edge regions through full-scale testing approach. Utilizing the RenaissanceRe 6-fan Wall of Wind (WOW) testing apparatus, a test structure instrumented with pressure transducers was equipped with six different modified roof edge geometries and subjected to hurricane force winds. A series of seven tests, six for the different roof geometries and one to determine the standard pressure distribution without any modifications, were conducted and pressure data from all seven tests were compared. Results indicated that the use of such mitigation devices resulted in an average reduction in uplift by about 50%, with the largest reduction observed from the Flat Roof AeroEdge Guard (FRAG1, patent pending) which yielded 74% decrease in the worst suction in the corner region. Testing was also performed to identify the wind speeds at which the conical vortices became strong enough to start scouring different types of roof gravel. These results offer new hope for further development in the area of hurricane damage mitigation.
