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An unexpected green roof benefit: purging urban rainfall of practically all microplastics
(www.anthropocenemagazine.org)
this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
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Right... It just stays on the roof instead of being washed out.
Grene roofs are cool but how much structure does it require to support it
Green roofs do need more support. But think of it by percentages. A one-story house is going to need significantly more structural stability than a normal house if it wants to support a green roof. If your building is already built to support 10-20 stories, the additional weight (and cost) of the green roof and the reinforcement underneath is not as big a concern.
Personally, I would prefer solar panels on roofs and green spaces on the ground where the public can enjoy their benefits. But more green is better than less.
Fair question, but consider we're already building to support tons of steel and concrete. Dirt masses nothing compared to that.
Dirt full of water is not a negligible mass, especially as the total mass will vary and the center of mass will shift around.
But the real problem is water. One of engineering's most important lessons is "everything leaks". I think all of these projects are just a recipe for mold intrusion as the water leaks out of the soil box and into the rest of the building.
Concrete and steal are structural though and they sure just enough to support the building
My understanding that adding green elements requires additional steel and concrete
Actually, saturated soil weighs around 100-120 pounds per cubic foot, which is comparable to concrete (150 lbs/ft³) and much heavier than most people realize - thats why proper structural engineering for green roofs adds significant cost to building projects.