CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN THE RESTORATION OF BUILDING ROOFS

Abstract

The article examines a relevant scientific and practical problem related to the restoration of roofing structures in buildings damaged as a result of military aggression. The scale of destruction observed across civil and industrial infrastructure highlights the necessity of implementing systematic approaches to assessing the technical condition of building envelope components, particularly roof systems that have sustained direct or indirect damage. Special attention is devoted to the pre-design inspection stage, which is critical for formulating subsequent design solutions and selecting an appropriate rehabilitation strategy. One of the key objectives of the pre-design stage is the detection of concealed overloading of roof structures, which may develop as secondary effects of blast impacts or as a result of improper operation and temporary storage of materials. Hidden overloads may arise from the accumulation of structural debris, fragments of explosive devices, localized concentrations of construction waste, as well as improvised storage of building materials on the roof. Such additional masses can significantly alter the stress–strain state of roof elements, thereby increasing the risk of progressive structural failures during further operation or reconstruction.

Secondary overloading factors also include the accumulation of atmospheric precipitation and moisture saturation of the roofing system ("roofing pie"), which occur due to compromised waterproofing or deformation of roof slopes. Prolonged wetting of thermal insulation and vapor-barrier layers leads to a substantial increase in the dead weight of the roofing assembly, freeze–thaw effects, and the localized formation of ice lenses, all of which negatively affect the load-bearing capacity and durability of roof components. The article emphasizes the necessity of applying comprehensive diagnostic methods, as traditional visual inspection alone is insufficient for identifying most internal or concealed defects.