ASTM E2397/E2397M-19 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E2397/E2397M-19 — Standard Practice for Determination of Dead Loads and Live Loads Associated with Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems. This practice provides a standardized procedure for predicting the system weight of vegetative (green) roof systems and for separating the weight into a drained (dead) condition and a transient (live) condition associated primarily with water retained or captured in the drain layer during rainfall or irrigation.

Abstract

ASTM E2397/E2397M-19 establishes methods to determine the dead loads and the additional transient live loads that may occur in vegetative (green) roof systems. It identifies typical system components, defines two weight conditions (drained condition after new water additions cease, and fully filled drain-layer condition during active rainfall/irrigation), and provides the conventions for estimating retained and captured water that contribute to structural loads. The practice clarifies exclusions (for example, snow, wind and non-system architectural point/line loads) and specifies that SI and inch–pound units are to be used independently.

General information

• Status: Active / Current
• Publication date: February 1, 2019 (designation E2397/E2397M-19)
• Publisher: ASTM International
• ICS / categories: 65.020.20 (Plant growing); 91.060.20 (Roofs)
• Edition / version: E2397 / E2397M − 19
• Number of pages: 6

Scope

This practice covers a standardized procedure for predicting the system weight of vegetative (green) roof systems and the associated dead and transient live loads. It addresses typical vegetative roof components (membranes, non‑absorptive plastic sheets, metallic layers, fabrics, geocomposite drain layers, synthetic reinforcing layers, cover/recover boards, insulation materials, growth media, granular drainage media and plant materials). Two load conditions are defined: (1) drained condition after additional water additions stop (considered the dead load, including retained and captured water) and (2) condition during active rainfall/irrigation when the drain layer can be fully filled with water (the difference approximates a live load). The practice does not cover point or line loads from architectural elements that are not essential system components, construction live loads, snow loads, or wind loads.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and conventions for vegetative (green) roof dead loads (system weight under drained conditions) and transient live loads (additional weight when drain layer is saturated).
• Identification of typical vegetative roof system components that contribute to weight calculations (membrane, drainage layers, growth media, vegetation, insulation, etc.).
• Procedure for estimating retained water within the growth media and captured/retained water in geocomposite drain layers to determine added weights.
• Requirement that SI and inch–pound units be treated separately (values in one system are not exact equivalents to the other).
• Reference to related ASTM test methods and terminology standards used to characterize media, drainage layers, and hydraulic retention (for example, methods for saturated water permeability, water capture and media retention, and maximum media density).
• Guidance on which loads are excluded (construction activity loads, snow and wind, and non-system architectural point/line loads) so users apply additional standards or analyses where needed.
• Emphasis on user responsibility for safety, health, environmental practices and verification of regulatory applicability before use.

Typical use and users

This practice is used by structural and civil engineers, roofing designers and consultants, landscape architects, green‑roof system manufacturers and suppliers, building code officials, specifiers, and facility managers. It supports structural load calculations, design specifications, product comparison, and performance evaluation of vegetative roof systems for new construction and retrofit projects.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related ASTM standards and guides for vegetative roof systems include ASTM E2396 (test methods for saturated water permeability of granular drainage media), ASTM E2398 (water capture and media retention test methods for geocomposite drain layers), ASTM E2399 (methods for maximum media density for dead load analysis), ASTM E2400 (guide for selection, installation and maintenance of plants for green roof systems), ASTM E631 and ASTM E2114 (terminology), and ASTM E11 (test sieves). Users typically consult these and other geosynthetics and material test methods when applying E2397/E2397M.

Keywords

vegetative roof, green roof, dead load, live load, retained water, captured water, drain layer, geocomposite, growth media, system weight, roofing design, structural load, sustainability

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2397/E2397M-19 is a standard practice that provides a uniform procedure to determine the dead loads and transient live loads associated with vegetative (green) roof systems for use in structural design and specification.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures to predict overall system weight in two conditions — a drained condition (dead load) and a fully filled drain-layer condition during rainfall or irrigation (transient live load). It identifies typical system components that contribute to weight and clarifies exclusions such as snow, wind and construction activity loads.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural and roofing engineers, landscape architects, green roof product manufacturers, specifiers, building officials and facility managers use this practice to evaluate and specify loads for vegetative roof systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation E2397/E2397M-19 is the 2019 edition and succeeded earlier editions (for example the 2015 edition). Users should confirm whether a newer revision has been published before final design (standards are periodically reviewed and updated).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. E2397/E2397M is part of a group of ASTM standards addressing vegetative roof systems and components, which typically includes companion test methods and guides such as E2396, E2398, E2399, E2400 and related terminology and material test standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include vegetative roof, green roof, dead load, live load, retained water, captured water, drain layer, geocomposite, growth media, and system weight.