Glenn Acomb, senior lecturer of landscape architecture, presented a lecture titled “Wind Uplift Trials for Green Roofs: Investigating Issues for Hurricane-Prone Florida.”
Acomb said that vegetated roofs are gaining acceptance for their benefits to stormwater, energy, heat island effect, biodiversity and urban agriculture. Yet, in Florida, their acceptance has been limited due to the absence of research to test their assembly and materials for acceptance within the Florida Building Code, he said.
Acomb also provided mid-term test results from a grant from the Florida Building Commission to two researchers from the University of Florida’s College of Engineering and the College of Design, Construction and Planning.
“What we’re beginning to see is that the plants are doing a good job of providing support, and the woven aspect of the plants are providing success,” Acomb said.
