WO2009111995A1

WO2009111995A1 - Vegetation roof, especially pitched, and method of its production

Info

Publication number: WO2009111995A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2008/000149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jirí BENDA
Original assignee: Benda Trade S.R.O.
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: DE212008000114U1; CZ301388B6; PL122032U1; SK50582008A3; CZ2008145A3; PL393310A1

Abstract

Multilayer system wich comprises a waterproofing course (2), bearing structure (3), cellular foil (4) with cultivation substrate (6) and if needed, a flat reticular layer (19) on the top. The cellular foil (4) is fixed to the bearing structure (2), reinforced with reinforcing fibres (8) with stops (9) and supplemented with drainage channels creating together with its perforation (11) an interconnected drainage system with outflow to eaves (15). Strips (16) or pouches (17) from geotextilie (13) situated inside the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) are also parts of the system. The cellular foil (4) can be laid in linked up bands with chambers (5) of different size to change the slope of the vegetation roof surface and predetermine composition of vegetation. Stabile figures are created by different filling of some chambers (5). During the production, individual layers are built stepwise from the bottom upwards and in concurrence with this, a drainage system with drainage tubes (12) at the top and bottom, water-permeable geotextilie (13), and drainage particles (14) is built.

Description

Vegetation Roof, Especiallly Pitched, and Method of its Production

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of civil engineering. It is a vegetation roof, so called green roof, constituting basically a garden on a roof surface of a building. Configuration of superstructure on roof surfaces is solved, allowing planting of vegetation and its long-term maintenance on pitched roofs. The solution is in all aspects adapted to specific conditions on roofs of buildings and it is focused on the possibility of greening pitched roofs in particular. Beside the very constructional arrangement of vegetation roof, the procedure how to perform its construction is proposed as well.

Background Art

At present, the topics of roofs greened with vegetation are very current. These roofs are popular because of environmental, aesthetic as well as recreational reasons. However, from the point of view of building industry, the existing vegetation roofs are not completely solved and are having several deficiencies. The simplest vegetation roofs are built on the parts of buildings, where there is no risk of damage in case of leakage, such as terraces etc. In such cases, at least one waterproofing layer, for instance an impermeable water resistant foil, is laid on the roof surface, its edges are sealed or folded downwards, and the cultivation substrate is layered directly on such treated surface without using other construction elements or procedures, the edges of the substrate are optionally reinforced by brickwork and/or frame creating side walls preventing disintegration. These vegetation roofs are suitable for horizontal surfaces only. Rapid hushing of cultivation substrate downwards would take place on slope roof. In the case of such vegetation roofs, there is a problem with surplus water from watering and rainfalls, which can cause adverse hushing of cultivation substrate to the surroundings and sewerage. This creates a risk of unwanted silting up of sewerage and/or pollution of surroundings of the vegetation roof. The hushing of vegetation substrate results also in a significant loss of carrying and nutritious matter for vegetation, which shortens the usable life of the built system as well as the quality of cultivated vegetation elements.

Unwanted hushing of vegetation substrate and its slides constitute in general one of the main problems connected with vegetation roofs. In the case of roofs of buildings, especially of municipal as well as rural housing, it is necessary to prevent maximally the hushing, inter alia also to prevent silting of roof drain systems and pollution of building facades. That is why the existing solutions are often using boards from rock wool, which are used as a carrier for vegetation and are completely or partially replacing the cultivation substrate. For instance the WO 95/08259 patent application recommends laying a board of rock wool on a waterproofed roof and placing vegetation elements with root system in adhesive bag from organic material onto this board. Fixation of vegetation elements to the board is attained for instance in such a way that the bag contains starch and/or is equipped with a gummed tape from suitable polymer. This solution counts on the premise that the roots will strengthen with time and will grow through to the rock wool. Rock wool is used in a similar way also for instance in the CZ U 8296. Solution is described here, when strata series with rock wool is laid on the bearing structure. It consists of at least one lower waterproofing course resistant against rootlet proliferation, such as impermeable foil or asphalt paper. A geotextile layer is laid on the waterproofing course, on which a drainage layer is laid as a shaped plastic moulding containing system of projections and weep holes, where this drainage layer is covered again with geotextile. A rock wool layer as a surface layer that is planted directly with vegetation is then laid on the upper geotextile. However, the use of boards from rock wool for upper surfaces of vegetation roofs has significant disadvantages. This material is significantly frangible, so that freezing or stress and activities during maintenance, such as mower travel or walking, result in creation of cracks and falling out of fragments. It is necessary to replace whole blocks of rock wool, unwanted hushing and also creation of pits and holes takes place in the case of fragmentation. Other disadvantage is that the rock wool is not strong and bearing enough for roots of larger plants, surface hoeing of plants and similar maintenance tasks are impossible. Reuse is impossible, too. In a case of desired replacing or renovation of vegetation elements, the whole surface of the vegetation roof must be replaced. Aesthetic side of such solutions has defects as well, because the surface of vegetation roof does not look naturally and its effect is not as aesthetic as that of natural surfaces. Vegetation roofs of this type are suitable in particular for grass, they are not suitable for creation of gardens or planting with ornamental plants or bigger plants. The abovementioned disadvantage is partially solved by the WO 97/01687 patent application. Waterproofing course is on the roof surface, non-woven geotextile is on that course, followed by a drainage layer, a rock wool layer, cultivation substrate from earth or coconut fibre with seeds mixed-in, and a retaining and protective net is on the top surface. Significant disadvantage of this system is that the layers of materials superimposed in this way must be reinforced to one another by stitching, when the reinforcing fibre must pass on the surface and from here, it must pass through all the layers of the vegetation roof down, under the lower geotextile, and back to the top. Production of this vegetation roof is very demanding, individual quilted cushions must be produced and these are laid side by side onto waterproofed upper surface of the roof. This has high demands on transportation to the place of use and handling, and it requires use of cranes and other heavy machinery. This solution is suitable only for foundation of roof with grasses and similar vegetation elements with fine root system. Vegetation roof of this type allows cultivation from seeds only, it is unsuitable for planting. The mower blade can get caught in reinforcing fibres and damage to the mower and/or tearing of reinforcing fibres can take place during the mower travel in the course of subsequent maintenance of the greened roof.

Some existing solutions are utilising a system with a principle of arrangement based on solid blocks to solve the vegetation roof. With this system, solid blocks created as mobile bearing elements are laid side by side on the roof surface covered with at least waterproofing course, and the cultivation substrate is layered on these blocks in advance or after laying the blocks. Optionally, drainage layer can be spread under the cultivation substrate at first. Blocks are in the shape of solid panels or boxes. For instance the WO 2007/029220 patent application describes a vegetation roof with a lower layer created from waterproofed panels placed next to each other and provided with protective waterproofing layer, and a higher decorative layer constituting a roof garden. Such solutions are disadvantageous because of high mass and thus high demands on strength and load capacity of the roof surface. Often a static reinforcement of bearing roof structure must be done first, and thus building of such vegetation roof becomes too expensive and complicated. Also safe edge stabilization should be additionally ensured because of safety reasons and also to preserve compactness of the building. However this represents further unwanted load and cost increase. That is why such solutions have sense only when these are blocks equipped with special devices for instance for heating that cannot be placed on vegetation roofs in other way. Use of blocks restrains water circulation and does not prevent enough denudation of cultivation substrate in the case of slope roof. If blocks made of wood are used in the existing systems, additional problem with moulds, fungal decay, pests, and rottenness arises.

At present, so called cellular foil is known in building industry. It is made from material based on plastics, so it is relatively strong in tension as well as in compression, non-fragile, flexible and it is water-resistant and impervious to water. Its arrangement is described for instance in US pat. 5,449,543 and WO 97/16604. It consists of a system of strips of water-resistant and impervious foil that are interconnected so that a structure of hollow chambers, usually called cells in practice, is created between their walls. Cavities of these chambers are open in vertical direction. The cellular foil is delivered in a folded state for manipulation and distribution, where the cellular walls are pressed together, and it is unfolded on a plane at the place of use, by which a honeycomb-like structure with open chambers is created. This cellular foil is designed to be laid on surfaces of erosion attacked outdoor terrains, such as river banks or slopes along roads, or also backfilling of mining groves, where it is placed to prevent slacking of loosened rock from the walls and unwanted pulverization and fragmentation of surface elements. It is also used for consolidation of bed of constructions such as roads or railways, where it is laid on earth base after baring and clearing away of arable soil, or over drainage blanket from gravel and/or sand. In this case, the cellular foil in unfolded state is overfilled with gravel and grouted with concrete and/or paving asphalt. Sometimes, it is filled directly with concrete. Various types of cellular foil are available already, in different types and versions, some of them having cell walls equipped with perforation to allow water permeation, particularly to eliminate unwanted pressures in the building. When used on constructions, heavy machinery is commonly used on this cellular foil, where it's overfilling with gravel is performed using excavators and subsequent compacting of the filling or pouring of concrete or asphalt material is performed with travels by road compaction roller. Strength of the cellular foil is significantly high; however, unsuitable method of filling such as using big stones can cause unwanted flattening of vertical walls of cells. US Pat. No. 6,484,473 B1 recommends fixing the cellular foil with flexible filaments stabbed through it and routed through it in the direction of length and width. The flexible filaments are fixed along edges of the unfolded cellular foil on pins stuck into soft bed of open terrain, and in the case of large area, fastening elements are stuck also in some cell chambers. However, all hitherto documents and methods are taking into account only the use of this cellular foil at the open ground after unfolding over its area or after unfolding on exposed earth base at the open ground. The cellular foil has been hitherto taken into account only in two lines, firstly as a metal mesh or net substitute in order to secure surface of loosened or risky natural terrain, and secondly as an elastic reinforcement into abiotic constructions, for instance into concrete base and under asphalt.

Disclosure of Invention:

The above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated to a considerable extent by the invention. New arrangement of vegetation roof is solved that is focused in particular to the possibility of its construction on slope and even very slope roofs. The essence of the invention is that on the roof surface covered by at least one waterproofing course such as waterproof impermeable foil, a bearing structure from solid material is located over the waterproofing course and a plastic cellular foil with a system of chambers is spatially unfolded on the bearing structure, where this cellular foil is fixed in unfolded state and the chambers of its cells are at least partially filled with loose material composed at least partially of cultivation substrate suitable for cultivation of vegetation. The roof surface is meant here as a complete roof covered with roofing, but also without roofing. A roof area from roof lathing without roofing is the best usable one for building of vegetation roof.

Vegetation roof that is created on a horizontal roof surface or on a little slope roof surface preferably contains loose material in the form of compacted cushion from filling incorporated to the cellular foil. This can be created simply by mere pouring of loose material onto unfolded cellular foil and subsequent compaction for instance with travels by compaction roller or compacting machines. As a result, the cellular foil chambers are then filled with a cushion from compacted loose material reaching from the bottom of said chambers at least up to the upper edge of said chambers.

Vegetation roof, in particular the more pitched one that is located on a roof area deflected from the horizontal plane at a slope up to 90 degrees needs more complex arrangement. In this case, it is advantageous when the cellular foil is equipped with apertures for reinforcing fibres, through which the reinforcing fibres with ends fixed in the cellular foil edges zone are passing. The reinforcing fibres are passing in a tense condition from one side of the cellular foil to its opposite side through cavities and walls of chambers. These reinforcing fibres are equipped with stops against unwanted shift and/or deformation of the cellular foil, which are located in at least some of the chambers and are bigger than the apertures for the reinforcing fibres.

At least one drainage channel is created in the space adjacent to the cellular foil, while the cellular foil is equipped with perforation in the walls of its chambers. In this way an interconnected drainage system is created, which is functioning as better as higher is the slope of the roof.

Drainage channel is located preferably at least partially by the side of the cellular foil, taken against the roof surface plane. This drainage channel contains at least one drainage tube with a system of drainage openings and also preferably, it contains also at least one water-permeable geotextile situated circumferentially around the drainage tube, preferably along its whole length. The space of the drainage channel remaining outside the drainage tube is filled with drainage particles e.g. aggregate or slag. At least one drainage channel of the said type is situated so that eaves or other tail race channel for drainage of excess rainfall or watering liquid from the roof is located in the place of outflow of liquid from the drainage channel.

Vegetation roof has preferably at least two drainage channels, one of which, in the case of slope roof surface, is situated on the lower side of the roof along by the eaves or other tail race channel, and the second one in parallel with it on the opposite, upper side of the roof.

In the case of high slope of the roof surface, the cellular foil contains preferably pouches with loose substrate and a cultivation vegetation base placed in at least some chambers of the cellular foil, at least that ones located at the most slope roof section. In particular seeds, germinated seeds or small seedlings are most suitable as a cultivation vegetation base in the moment of building the roof. Later on, the cultivation base on already greened roof consists mainly of roots of full-grown vegetation. However young bushes or trees can be planted as well in these pouches to the vegetation roof. The pouches are preventing pouring out or denudation of cultivation substrate as well as unwanted clogging of perforation in the cellular foil.

Alternative solution preferable in particular for pitched roofs consists in that the cellular foil has in at least some of its chambers glued strips of water-permeable geotextile and the strips are on at least part of at least one wall of said chambers.

Flat reticular layer containing system of meshes is preferably located over the cellular foil, in particular on very pitched roofs.

It is optimal, specially for the purpose of the vegetation roof, when a mixture containing 30 to 50 percent by volume of aggregate and 50 to 70 percent by volume of earth is used as the cultivation substrate into the chambers of the cellular foil.

Some chambers of the cellular foil can be furnished with decorative means of obviously different colour. This can mean filling of chambers with different material or surface filling with different material or also different vegetation elements. Layout, i.e. the relative position and number of such furnished chambers are selected so that these decorative means as a whole create at least one visually interesting figure on the vegetation roof. In this case, it is not merely an aesthetic solution, but the fact that the walls of the_cellular foil chambers function as partitions helping to attain non-looseness and longevity of the figure created. The chambers will also efficiently prevent denudation of material, which would otherwise lead, on the slope surface, to blurring or destruction of any figure created. Therefore it will be possible to build vegetation roofs for instance with grass comprising incorporated lasting advertising logo or inscription for instance from en-tout-cas, coloured pebbles or coloured bark, etc. In this way, it will be also possible to build durable slope footways on the vegetation roof to allow maintenance, access etc.

Preferably, the cellular foil with chambers of different size as regards their height and/or circumference can be used in case of specific needs. The foil is folded in bands side by side that are interconnected. The slope of the vegetation roof surface can thus be modified by selection of suitable height of the chambers, and vegetation conditions can be architectonically predetermined, in particular according to intentions regarding various vegetations, by selection of suitable dimensional size of the chambers. For example part of vegetation roof can be reserved in advance for plants with bigger root ball and other part can be reserved for plants with smaller or minimum root ball in this way.

Implementation of technical solution of the vegetation roof according to the invention has specific obstacles in consideration of unusual character of this solution, and therefore a procedure for its production is designed in this context. Method of production of vegetation roof according to the invention utilizes from the existing vegetation roof building methods in a similar way only the first phase of production, in which the roof surface is covered with at least one waterproofing course such as waterproof impermeable foil, or the existing waterproofed roof is used optionally if its structure provides waterproofing and allows the procedure described hereinafter. After that, the procedure continues according to the new method, in which a suitable bearing structure based on solid elements such as fence mesh, metal frame, etc. is laid over the waterproofing course, and then the cellular foil is laid, which is spread to unfolded state and fixed to the said bearing structure. In the next phase, the chambers of the cellular foil are filled with cultivation substrate allowing planting of vegetation or containing basic elements of vegetation.

Preferably at least one drainage channel is built by the side of the cellular foil, viewed against the roof surface plane, and said drainage channel is created so that a free space is left beside the cellular foil during its laying down and also preferably at least one drainage tube enveloped in water-permeable geotextile is laid down to the left space, preferentially as late as after unfolding and fixing of the cellular foil. Drainage particles are then poured to the free space around the drainage tube in such quantity that the drainage tube is covered and the free space left beside the cellular foil is filled with said drainage particles.

If the vegetation roof is built on a slope roof, it is especially preferable to create an interconnected system for water movement from the cellular foil and the drainage tube or drainage tubes. This is done so that the vegetation roof is built using the cellular foil with perforated chamber walls, and at least one drainage tube is situated in such position towards the cellular foil that at least part of the drainage tube is laid to the path of water outflow from the cellular foil perforation, while said drainage tube is simultaneously situated on the path of surface water flow, perpendicular to the expected water movement direction and simultaneously to the vicinity of water drain from the roof. This is done using a single collecting drainage tube or using several interlinked drainage tubes.

It is preferable for the solution of slope vegetation roofs, in particular for much pitched roofs, when strips of water-permeable geotextile are glued on the walls of the cellular foil chambers before laying the cellular foil on the roof surface. This is performed in link-up in at least one row of cells to ensure flow. At least one strip is glued in each selected cell on at least one of the two walls of the cell.

Alternative solution suitable for extra pitched roofs or very pitched roof sections consists in that pouches from water-permeable geotextile filled with cultivation substrate are inserted into the cellular foil after its unfolding on the roof surface, one pouch into each selected chamber. It is suitable to prepare these pouches separately by packing cultivation substrate into pre-cut pieces of water-permeable geotextile. Preferably during building of vegetation roof, at least two drainage channels parallel with each other are built that are situated on the opposite sides of the roof surface in the area of its edge, where at least one of them, the lower one in the case of pitched roof, is led along the roof eaves or the eaves is laid along it.

If the intended vegetation type allows, it is preferable for vegetation roofs when the cultivation substrate is seeded with vegetation seeds before or after filling into the chambers of the cellular foil. After that, when the chambers of the cellular foil are sufficiently filled with the cultivation substrate and the seeds are mixed in to the substrate or pressed in to the substrate surface, another layer of the vegetation roof can be laid on the surface, consisting of at least one flat reticular layer containing system of meshes allowing subsequent vegetation grow through. For instance matting, nylon or polyethylene net, plastic grid etc. can be used as the flat reticular layer. The flat reticular layer is significant especially in the case of very slope roofs. If the water-permeable geotextile pouches are used as mentioned above, the flat reticular layer prevents their falling out and allows long useful life of the vegetation roof even on a vertical part of the roof or on a very slope roof.

The system is significantly more stable for pitched roofs, when before laying onto the roof surface, the cellular foil, preferably still in folded state, is drilled through in several places from one side to the other side. Then, before or during unfolding on the roof surface, the reinforcing fibres are pulled through the drilled openings through each aperture created in this way. During this pulling through, immovable stops against unwanted shifting and/or deformation of the cellular foil are situated on each reinforcing fibre in predetermined distances in at least some of the chambers. Then, the ends of each fibre are immovably fixed in the area out of the cellular foil or at its edge. This fixing is performed in the area of the cellular foil edges after stretching the fibres so that said fibres will remain in permanently tense condition. In certain cases, the cellular foil is preferably laid on the roof surface in bands with different size of chambers. The chamber size can vary as regards their height and/or their diameter. Neighbouring sides of these bands are interconnected. The slope of the vegetation roof surface can be changed using chambers of different height depending on which chamber size is selected. Different size of the chambers can be selected to pre-create concrete architectural conditions for the solution of vegetation planting of the vegetation roof. In this case, the very selection of suitable size and shape of the chambers as the fields for one plant or a group of plants will predetermine the specific geometry of the vegetation arrangement on the vegetation roof and this will be adapted to the intention of which plant types according to the root ball size could be planted.

Solution according to the invention allows increasing the attractiveness of vegetation roofs for prospective persons interested by the fact that the possible use for advertising purposes is completely solved as well. If some chambers are filled at least at the surface with decorative means of obviously different colour instead of or in addition to the cultivation substrate, the possibility of stable result without the risk of spilling or outwash is reached. Chambers for such different filling should be planned in such number and relative arrangement to serve as a means for creation of at least one colour-contrasting visually obvious figure on the vegetation roof.

The invention is utilisable for all types of vegetation roofs, on plane as well as shaped roofs, on horizontal as well as pitched roofs. The technical solution is especially focused on the topic of pitched roofs in particular. Possibility of permanent greening of even very sloping surface up to 90 degrees is achieved. The vegetation roof according to the invention makes easy maintenance possible, its quality allows even mower and other machinery travels. On less slope roofs and on roofs adjacent to the terrain slope etc., even heavy machinery can be used during construction of the designed vegetation roof. Embodiment of the vegetation roof allows significant variability. The vegetation roof can be built as a grass plot, but also in the shape of little garden, planting with shrubs or creation of functional walkways etc. is also possible. The vegetation roof according to the invention can be built or can serve also for advertising purposes, for it allows planned creation of figures and inscriptions stable even on a slope surface and after the effect of atmospheric action.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention is illustrated using drawings, where Fig. 1 shows overall view of the vegetation roof according to the invention built on a building, schematic sectional view, Fig. 2 shows top plan view of the roof from outside, Fig. 3 shows local view of the cut circled on Fig. 1 representing the arrangement of the vegetation roof, Fig. 4 shows the same as the previous figure in the phase before filling the chambers of the cellular foil, Fig. 5 shows top plan view on the vegetation roof with hitherto empty chambers of the cellular foil before pouring over the drainage tubes, illuminating arrangement of internal bearing system and drainage systems of the vegetation roof according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows schematic picture of a detail of one chamber of the cellular foil and a strip made of water-permeable geotextile before its insertion into the chamber, perspective view, Fig. 7 shows the same with the strip already glued in, in the top plan view, Fig. 8 shows schematic picture of a detail of one chamber and a pouch made of water- permeable geotextile before its insertion into the chamber, perspective view, Fig. 9 shows the same with the pouch already inserted in the top plan view.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Descriptive example of embodiment of the invention is the vegetation roof according to the Fig. 1 to 9 and method of its production.

This vegetation roof is located on a slope roof area of a building. In this case, it is built on a plane roof surface, on the roof lathing 1. As its lower layer, waterproofing course 2 from waterproof impermeable foil is laid on the lathing JL Bearing structure 3 from solid material is located over the waterproofing course 2, in this case, it is created by metal grate from flat metal bars, but in other case, it can be for instance fence mesh or, in the case of small area, just a mere frame. The cellular foil 4 with a system of chambers 5 is spatially unfolded on the bearing structure 3. This cellular foil 4 is fixed in an unfolded state and its chambers 5, i.e. through cavities of its cells, are filled with a loose material created by cultivation substrate 6. Any loose material suitable for cultivation of vegetation can be used as the cultivation substrate 6. There is no need to fill the chambers 5 with it completely, or on the contrary, it can be overlaid even over the cellular foil 4, according to the needs given in particular by the roof slope, structure and extent of compacting of the cultivation substrate 6 used and planned vegetation density and species. Also, the chambers 5 can be filled with the cultivation substrate 6 only partially in combination with other material, for instance only a drainage mixture can be poured to the bottom and the cultivation substrate 6 can be in the upper part, or on the contrary in another case, the cultivation substrate 6 can fill only approximately three quarters from the bottom and pebbles or mulch bark etc. can be in the top layer. In such case, an optimal mixture containing 30 to 50 percent by volume of aggregate and 50 to 70 percent by volume of earth is used as the cultivation substrate 6. The abovementioned mixture has the ideal composition for conditions of this vegetation roof because it allows cultivation of vegetation, it can be compacted by pressure, it has adequate cohesion preventing surface flying away and denudation, and with this composition, it also has the consistency allowing good function of the drainage system according to the invention.

If the vegetation roof is built on a horizontal or a little slope roof surface, it is fully sufficient and advantageous when the cellular foil 4 is filled in the way as simple as possible, i.e. by pouring over after unfolding and fixation on the surface. In this case, filling and subsequent compacting can be accompanied even with travels of heavy machinery. Then in the finished vegetation roof, the cellular foil 4 filled in this way has its chambers filled with a cushion from compacted loose material reaching from the bottom of its chambers 5 at least up to the upper edge of its chambers 5.

If the vegetation roof is located on a slope roof surface deviated from the horizontal plane by 5 to 90°, it is preferably equipped with a strengthening system stated hereinafter preventing unwanted flattening or creeping down of the cellular foil 4. The cellular foil 4 has apertures 7 created in lines and reinforcing fibres 8 equipped with stops 9 are pulled through these apertures 7. The reinforcing fibres 8 have a shape of flexible metal cables, they are spanned with certain spacing and their ends are fixed in the area of the cellular foil 4 edges on pins tO welded on the bearing structure 3. The reinforcing fibres 8 are passing in a tense condition from one side of the cellular foil 4 to its opposite side. The stops 9 in cavities of said chambers 5 have a shape of knots, glass beads, etc. Arrangement of the inside of the vegetation roof including obliquity of surfaces is intentionally shown on Figures 3 and 4, so that the function of these stops 9 is clearly visible. The stops 9 are located in at least some of the chambers 5 and they are at least in one direction bigger than the apertures 7 for the reinforcing fibres 8. With the help of these stops 9, the cellular foil 4 is stabilised against unwanted creeping down the slope of the roof and/or flattening.

The pitched vegetation roof is further completely solved preferably so that at least one drainage channel is created in the space adjacent to the cellular foil 4. Linked-up drainage system is created also preferably so that the cellular foil 4 equipped with perforation H in the walls of its chambers 5 is used.

In contrast to existing vegetation roofs, where the drainage system is laid under the layer of cultivation substrate 6, the drainage channel according to the invention is preferably created at least partially by the side of the cellular foil 4, taken against the roof surface plane. On the example of embodiment, it is presented as one drainage tube Υλ with at least one water-permeable geotextile 13 situated circumferentially around this drainage tube 12 along its whole length, if possible, while the remaining space of the drainage channel outside the drainage tube 12 is filled with drainage particles 14, e.g. aggregate. Plastic drainage tube 12 common in the in building industry with a system of drainage openings, known as a so called gooseneck, can be used and this tube is wrapped in a builder's drainage water-permeable geotextile 13. Vegetation roof shown on figures has one such drainage channel situated on the top along the roof ridge and another one situated along both lower edges of the roof, where, in the place of outflow of liquid from the drainage channel, eaves 15 is located, allowing drainage of liquid collected by this channel from the roof.

Additional solution of the abovementioned drainage system specifically for pitched vegetation roofs is shown on Figures 6 and 7. The cellular foil 4 has in all or at least some of its chambers 5 glued strips 16 of water-permeable geotextile 13 and the strips (16) are on one wall of said chambers 5.

Alternative solution suitable for much pitched roofs and exceptionally pitched roof sections is shown on Figures 6 and 9. The cellular foil 4 contains pouches 17 placed in at least some of its chambers 5, in the best case in all chambers 5 located in the extra pitched sections. These pouches 17 are created as pieces of cut water-permeable geotextile 13 in which the loose cultivation substrate 6 is packed. It is notably advantageous, if these pouches contain vegetation base such as plant seeds or seedlings as soon as during building of the vegetation roof. Whole plants 18 are shown on figures for clarity. Flat reticular layer 19 containing system of meshes can be located, but not necessarily, over the cellular foil 4. The flat reticular layer .19 can have a shape of net, fence netting, grid, etc. and it is advantageous in particular for much pitched vegetation roofs, especially for sections where pouches U are used, where it prevents their unwanted release very efficiently. But it can be preferably used also for grass on even or little pitched vegetation roofs etc. When used, it efficiently retains root ball of plants 18 after their growth, thus preventing their falling out. Decorative effect is also shown on figure 2, provided some chambers 5 of the cellular foil 4 are equipped with decorative means 20 of obviously different colour. The relative position and number of such equipped chambers 5 are selected here for instance so that these decorative means 20 as a whole create stable figure in the shape of a "B" letter on the vegetation roof.

Example is shown on the right-hand half of the roof on Figure 1 , how the cellular foil 4 with chambers 5 of different size as regards their height and/or circumference can be used. Cellular foil 4 with chambers 5 of different height is used here. Cellular foil 4 bands of different height are used, these are laid on the roof surface side by side in the horizontal course and their edges are interconnected. Surface declivity reduction is reached in this way when the cellular foil 4 bands are arranged in a staircase manner, increasing their height from the top downwards on the way down the roof slope.

Method of production of this vegetation roof was as follows. The roof surface was first covered with waterproofing course 2 from waterproof impermeable foil based on plastic. In this particular case, roof lathing 1 was used as the roof boarding or base. If already waterproofed existing roof covering is used, for instance asphalt strips, etc., it is yet useful to waterproof it additionally with at least one reliable waterproofing course 2. Bearing structure 3 based on solid grid was laid on the waterproofing course 2, and then a plastic cellular foil 4 was laid on it. If some other additional layers are used, for instance drainage knot foil etc., the bearing structure 3 is laid on these layers. In all cases, the bearing structure 3 is laid above the waterproofing course 2. The cellular foil 4, still in folded flattened state, was drilled through in several places from one side to the other side and then it was laid on the roof surface. Reinforcing fibres 8 were pulled through the apertures 7. During the laying, the cellular foil 4 has been stretched to open cavities of its chambers 5, and immovable stops 9 against unwanted shifting and/or deformation of the cellular foil 4 were placed on each reinforcing fibre 8 in predetermined distances in some of the chambers. The ends of each reinforcing fibre 8 were fixed on pins 10 in the peripheral zone of the cellular foil 4 while stretching the reinforcing fibres 8 to permanently tense state.

Drainage channels were built by the side of the cellular foil 4, taken against the roof surface plane. Two drainage channels parallel to one another, the upper one and the lower one, were built on both roof surfaces of the exemplary roof. They were situated preferably on opposite sides of each roof surface, in the area of its edge. They were made so that a free space was left beside the cellular foil 4 during its laying down and, after unfolding and fixing of the cellular foil 4, the drainage tube 12 enveloped in water-permeable geotextile 13 was laid down to each space left. Subsequently, the space around said enveloped drainage tube Vλ is filled with drainage particles 14. The drainage system is interconnected because the cellular foil 4 with perforation H in the walls of the chambers 5 was used and drainage channels were built in link-up to that. One drainage tube 12, from the point of view of the slope the lower one, was laid always along the lower edge of the roof. Thus it was laid on the path of water flowing out of the cellular foil 4 through its perforation H during watering or rainfall and simultaneously it resulted in that the drainage tube 12 is oriented perpendicular to the path of the excess surface water movement. Said drainage tube 12, when situated in this way, was also intentionally placed to the vicinity of a device for water drain from the roof, i.e. eaves 15. Interconnected gathering system has been created in this way allowing flow of imbibed water inside the vegetation roof in the direction of the roof slope, subsurface catchment of subsurface as well as surface water flowing down from rainfall and/or watering, and draining of this water from the roof. This draining system also allows useful capillary rise of water and aeration of the cultivated vegetation root system.

If strips 16 of water-permeable geotextile 13 are to be used, they are glued on the walls of chambers 5 before laying the cellular foil 4 on the roof surface, which is performed in concurrence in at least one row of the chambers 5. At least one strip 16 is glued in each selected chamber 5 on at least one of both walls of the chamber 5, in the best case on the wall that is lower down the slope. Alternatively, in the case of very steep slope, the pouches 17 from water-permeable geotextile 13 filled with cultivation substrate 6 are made separately. These pouches 17 are inserted into the chambers 5 as late as after unfolding and fixing of the cellular foil 4 on the roof surface and fixing to the bearing structure 3. They are inserted or pressed into the chambers 5^ optimally one pouch 17 into each selected chamber 5. If simply overfilled cushion would be used, this is performed by simple pouring of cultivation substrate into the chambers Ei_x and possibly over them and subsequent compacting. The cultivation substrate 6 can be preferably seeded with vegetation seeds before or after filling into the chambers 5 of the cellular foil 4. After that, when the chambers 5 of the cellular foil 4 are sufficiently filled with the cultivation substrate 6, the surface of the vegetation roof built in this way can be covered at least above the cellular foil 4 with at least one flat reticular layer 19 containing system of meshes allowing subsequent vegetation grow through.

The cellular foil 4 on the right-hand half of the roof was laid on the bearing structure 3 in bands with different height of chambers while the neighbouring sides of these bands were interconnected.

When filling the chambers 5* surface filling with decorative means 20 of obviously different colour rather than with the cultivation substrate 6 has been performed in the case of some chambers 5. The chambers 5 filled in this way were selected in such number and relative arrangement to create visually obvious figure in the shape of a "B" letter on the vegetation roof as an advertising medium of a sponsor.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, with loose cultivation substrate for cultivation of vegetation elements, where as its lower layer, at least one waterproofing course (2) such as waterproof impermeable foil is located on the roof surface, characterized by that a bearing structure (3) from solid material is located over a waterproofing course (2), and a plastic cellular foil (4) with a system of chambers (5) is spatially unfolded on the bearing structure (3), where this cellular foil (4) is fixed in unfolded state and the chambers (5) of its cells are at least partially filled with loose material composed at least partially of cultivation substrate (6) suitable for cultivation of vegetation.

2. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 1, characterized by that it is located on horizontal or little pitched roof area and the cellular foil (4) has its chambers (5) filled with a cushion from compacted loose material reaching from the bottom of said chambers (5) at least up to the upper edge of said chambers (5).

3. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 1, characterized by that it is located on a roof area deflected from the horizontal plane at a slope up to

90 degrees and the cellular foil (4) has apertures (7) created for reinforcing fibres (8), the reinforcing fibres (8) with ends fixed in the cellular foil (4) edges area are passing through these apertures (7), these reinforcing fibres (8) are passing in tense condition from one side of the cellular foil (4) to its opposite side through cavities and walls of chambers (5), while these reinforcing fibres (8) are equipped with stops (9) in the chamber (5) cavities against unwanted shifting and/or deformation of the cellular foil (4), which stops (9) are located in at least some of the chambers (5) and are bigger than the apertures (7) for the reinforcing fibres (8).

4. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one drainage channel is created in the space neighbouring to the cellular foil (4), while the cellular foil (4) equipped with perforation (11) in the walls of its chambers (5) is used.

5. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 4, characterized by that the drainage channel is created at least partially by the side of the cellular foil (4), taken against the roof surface plane, and contains at least one drainage tube (12) perforated with a system of drainage openings and at least one water- permeable geotextile (13) situated circumferentially around the drainage tube (12) along its whole length, while the remaining space of the drainage channel outside the drainage tube (12) is filled with drainage particles (14), e.g. aggregate, and at least one such drainage channel is situated so that eaves (15) or other tail race channel for drainage of liquid from the roof is located in the place of outflow of liquid from the drainage channel.

6. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 5, characterized by that it has at least two drainage channels, one of which is situated on the lower side of the roof along by the eaves (15) or other tail race channel from the roof, and the second one in parallel with it on the opposite, upper side of the roof.

7. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 3, characterized by that the cellular foil (4) contains pouches (17) with loose cultivation substrate (6) and a cultivation vegetation base such as plant seeds or seedlings (18) placed in at least some of the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4).

8. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claim 3, characterized by that the cellular foil (4) has in at least some of its chambers (5) glued strips (16) of water-permeable geotextile (13) and the strips (16) are on at least part of at least one wall of said chambers (5).

9. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized by that a flat reticular layer (19) containing system of meshes is located over the cellular foil (4).

10. Vegetation roof, in particular the pitched one, according to claims 1 to 9, characterized by that a mixture containing 30 to 50 percent by volume of aggregate and 50 to 70 percent by volume of earth is used as the cultivation substrate (6) into the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4).

11. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claims 1 to 10, characterized by that some chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) are at least in the surface area filled with decorative means (20) of obviously different colour, where the relative position and number of such filled chambers (5) are intentionally selected so that said decorative means (20) as a whole create at least one figure on the vegetation roof.

12. Vegetation roof, especially pitched, according to claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the cellular foil (4) with chambers (5) of different size as regards their height and/or circumference is used, and said cellular foil (4) is arranged in bands side by side that are interconnected.

13. Method of production of vegetation roof according to some of claims 1 to 12, when the roof surface is covered by at least one waterproofing course (2) such as waterproof impermeable foil and then other layers, from which at least one contains loose cultivation substrate (6) for vegetation, are laid onto at least parts of the surface treated in this way, characterized by that a bearing structure (3) based on solid elements is laid over the waterproofing course (2), and then a plastic cellular foil (4) is laid, which is spread to unfolded state and fixed to the said bearing structure (3), and subsequently, the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) are filled with cultivation substrate (6) allowing subsequent planting with vegetation or containing rudiments of vegetation.

14. Method of production of vegetation roof according to claim 13, characterized by that at least one drainage channel is built by the side of the cellular foil (4), viewed against the roof surface plane, and said drainage channel is created so that a free space is left beside the cellular foil (4) during its laying down and at least one drainage tube (12) enveloped in water-permeable geotextile (13) is laid down to the left space after unfolding and fixing of the cellular foil (4), and then drainage particles (14) are poured to the space around the drainage tube (12) in such quantity that the drainage tube (12) is covered and the free space left beside the cellular foil (4) is filled with said drainage particles (14).

15. Method of production of vegetation roof according to claim 14, characterized by that an interconnected system for water movement is created using the cellular foil (4) and the drainage tube (12) or drainage tubes (12), and this is done using the cellular foil (4) with perforation (11) of walls of the chambers (5) and at least one drainage tube (12) is laid to the path of water flowing from the cellular foil (4) through its perforation (11), while said drainage tube (12) or its linking up drainage tube (12) is simultaneously situated on the path of the excess surface water movement, perpendicular to the expected water movement direction and simultaneously said drainage tube (12) or its linking up drainage tube (12) is simultaneously placed at least by its part to the vicinity of eaves (15) or other water drain from the roof.

16. Method of production of vegetation roof according to claim 15, characterized by that the strips (16) of the water-permeable geotextile (13) are glued on the walls of the cellular foil (4) chambers (5) before laying it on the roof surface, which is performed in concurrence in at least one row of said chambers (5) in such way, that at least one strip (16) is glued in each selected chamber (5) on at least one of the two walls of the chamber (5).

17. Method of production of vegetation roof according to claim 15, characterized by that the pouches (17) from water-permeable geotextile (13) filled with cultivation substrate (6) are made separately, and said pouches (17) are then inserted into the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) after its unfolding and fixing to the bearing structure (3), of one pouch (17) in each chamber (5).

18. Method of production of vegetation roof according to any of claims 15 to 17 characterized by that at least two drainage channels parallel to each other are built on the roof area that are situated on the opposite sides of the roof surface in the area of its edge, where at least one of them, the lower one in the case of pitched roof, is led along the roof eaves (15) or the eaves (15) is laid along it.

19. Method of production of vegetation roof according to claims 13 to 18 characterized by that the cultivation substrate (6) is seeded with vegetation seeds before or after filling into the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) and then, when the chambers (5) of the cellular foil (4) are sufficiently filled with such treated cultivation substrate (6), the surface of the vegetation roof built in this way is covered at least above the cellular foil (4) with at least one flat reticular layer (19) containing system of meshes allowing subsequent vegetation grow through.

20. Method of production of vegetation roof according to some of claims 13 to 19, characterized by that before laying onto the roof surface, the cellular foil (4), still in folded state, is drilled through in several places from one side to the other side and then, before or during unfolding on the roof surface, the reinforcing fibres (8) are pulled through the drilled openings through each aperture (7) created in this way and during this pulling through, immovable stops (9) against unwanted shifting and/or deformation of the cellular foil (4) are built on each reinforcing fibre (8) in predetermined distances in at least some of the chambers (5), and then, after pulling through, the ends of each reinforcing fibre (8) are immovably fixed in the area of the cellular foil (4) edges so that said reinforcing fibres (8) will remain in permanently tense condition.

21. Method of production of vegetation roof according to any of claims 13 to 20 characterized by that the cellular foil (4) is laid on the roof surface in bands with chambers (5) of different size as regards their height and/or their diameter while the neighbouring sides of these bands are interconnected to regulate the slope of the vegetation roof surface and/or to pre-adapt concrete architectural conditions for the vegetation planting, while the specific size of the chambers (5) is selected as individual fields for planting with one plant (18) or with group of plants (18) according to the intention of arrangement of planting and according to the intended plant (18) species root system size.

22. Method of production of vegetation roof according to any of claims 13 to 21 , characterized by that some chambers (5) are filled at least at the surface with decorative means (20) of obviously different colour instead of or in addition to the cultivation substrate (6), and said decorative means (20) are selected in such number and relative arrangement to serve as a material for creation of at least one visually obvious figure on the vegetation roof.