Analysis of Out-of-Plane Hail Impact Resistance of Steel Roof Panels

Residential and commercial buildings often use metal roof panels. In contrast, the dent resistance of steel panel subjected to impact of hailstone is insufficiently studied. The analysis of the whole experimental setup has been carried out using a finite element model (FEM). Artificial hailstones were launched at different steel sheets based on their size at different terminal velocities for comparison with natural hailstones that remained intact after impact. Based on comparisons between experimental results and the FE model, the simulation approach and material properties are evaluated. Additionally, an equation to predict dent depth using kinetic energy and stress is presented. The results of this study provide an understanding of both hail and roof panel failure modes and their effect on dent resistance. Experimental observations and numerical simulations in this study were well matched with results obtained using analytical models. In addition, the proposed equation overestimates dent depths compared with those found in the tested steel sheets, while underestimating the ones determined by finite element models.