Various structural forms (SF) of canopies, typically constructed for use as carports, verandahs, pergolas and patios. {NB: Pergola and patio have otherwise been redefined by marketing: thus lost traditional meaning in terms of sales, but not in terms of regulations and codes.}
If a carport, or verandah is made from cold-formed c- section and it matches the types described below, then manufacturers traditionally provided span tables. These span tables however were often used to size members and then buy materials from suppliers who hadn’t incurred the expense of developing such tables. The larger suppliers and manufacturers now use software: any quote they provide is likely to avoid mentioning member sizes. Secondly many of the manufacturers have also moved away from c-sections and adopted proprietary box sections: so any member sizes they do provide in a quote is not suitable with any other supplier. For that matter c-sections are not generic, and do differ from one supplier to another: whilst the c-sections may be available in common depths and thicknesses, they otherwise differ in the breadth of their flanges and that makes a difference to their structural capacity.
If has a owner-builder you specify one of the types of canopy below and make proper reference to the manufacturers span tables, then no “engineering” should be required, and here in South Australia no regulation 88 certificate of an independent technical expert.
If design varies from the following, for example two adjacent rectangles of different sizes with shared beams and columns, then additional calculations are required for the shared members. In such situation it is not legitimately possible to get a regulation 88 certificate, as independence from involvement in design is an important part of the qualification requirements. It may however be possible to get a certificate of structural adequacy , such certificate becomes the first assessment of structural adequacy by a person able to defend such assertion. Councils technical expert then independently reviews that assertion and if they agree issues the certificate of an independent technical expert. In the main, development application fees cover the cost of a regulation 88 certificate and neither council nor a private certifier should be sending you off to get one to submit: unless you have a unusual and/or exotic project: for example a large scale radio telescope dish.
The following only shows the basic structural form, the canopies can be made from any suitable material.
FREE STANDING |
ATTACHED |
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![]() The maximum span of this type of Using normal cladding tables maximum |
![]() Similar to SF01F, but with supporting In particular it is difficult to Wind class N1 and N3 are likely most The main problems with attached It is generally better to opt for a To be The primary purpose of hockey stick The hockey stick connection bracket Strengthening the house can incur a |
![]() Similar to SF01F, except the cladding |
![]() Similar to SF02F, but with supporting |
![]() Cladding rails (B2) span between |
![]() Similar to SF03F, but with supporting |
![]() Cladding rails (B2) span between The cladding rails, can be either Cold-formed C-sections are available |
![]() Similar to SF04F, but with supporting |
Related Goods & services:
If you need design (calculations and/or drawings), or a certificate of structural adequacy then contact us. For common structures we have some standard fees as set out below. Roughly each definable rectangle on the plan drawing represents a single span. So if have two rectangles then fee is 2 x the standard fee. If attached to the house then additional fee is incurred for assessing the suitability of the house and its required strengthening.
Timber
- Certificate of Structural Adequacy – monoslope canopy- timber–
single span - Certificate of Structural Adequacy – gable canopy – timber
– single span - Specification: Timber Canopies, carports, pergolas and verandahs
- Technical Notes: Timber Canopies, carports, pergolas and verandahs
- Design Guide: Timber Canopies, carports, pergolas and verandahs
Steel
- Certificate of Structural Adequacy – monoslope canopy- cold-formed
steel – single span - Certificate of Structural Adequacy – gable canopy- cold-formed steel
– single span - Structural Design Freestanding Canopy – cold-formed steel –
span less than 12m
Similar fees if made from other structural steel sections. (eg. SHS/RHS/CHS, PFC, UB/UC)
Attached
Revisions:
- [05/12/2017] : Original