2026 BES Session: Advancing Rooftop Temperature Predictions for Improved Material Selection Using Solar Radiation Mapping, Field Measurements, and Climate Analysis (Gatland S., Tabares Velasco P., Malekafzali Ardakan A.)

2026 BES Session: Advancing Rooftop Temperature Predictions for Improved Material Selection Using Solar Radiation Mapping, Field Measurements, and Climate Analysis

(Gatland S., Tabares Velasco P., Malekafzali Ardakan A.)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2026 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This course includes the following components:

• recording of the live session
• a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• two surveys required to claim continuing education credit

Description
Accurately predicting rooftop surface temperature extremes is critical for selecting membrane and flashing materials capable of long‑term durability. This study presents a simulation methodology developed in 2025 that integrates solar radiation mapping with steady‑state heat‑transfer modeling to estimate peak roof membrane and parapet surface temperatures. The method incorporates typical meteorological year (TMY) weather data and wind‑speed‑dependent convective heat‑transfer correlations to represent realistic environmental conditions. Model results validated against a previously published study will be presented and show strong agreement. A new field experiment was conducted in summer 2025 on an existing building at the Colorado School of Mines will be presented. The study evaluated the combined effects of direct, indirect, and reflected solar irradiance, including reflections from parapets, rooftop equipment, and nearby structures, on surface temperature behavior. Details of the assemblies, instrumentation layout, sensor types, and measurement procedures will be described. Measured field data will be compared with simulated temperatures to assess model accuracy and quantify the influence of reflected solar radiation on roof and parapet surfaces. A parametric analysis using future TMY datasets in major North American cities will examine how evolving climatic conditions may affect future rooftop temperature extremes and inform material selection and enclosure design.

Speaker/Author

Stanley Gatland, MSME
Manager, Building Science and Comfort
Saint-Gobain North America

Authors:
Paulo Cesar Tabares Velasco, PhD
Rowlinson Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering 
Colorado School of Mines

Ahoo Malekafzali Ardakan, PhD
Building Science Manager
Saint Gobain

Andrew Gloor
PhD Student
Colorado School of Mines

Sohaib Sharif
Building Science Engineer (VIE)
CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain North America)

Charlotte Lipari
Student
Colorado School of Mine

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of building enclosure assembly construction. A general understanding of the challenges of rooftop material selection for high temperature durability.

IIBEC Core Competencies: 

Roofing

Knowledge Level: 

Intermediate (5–15 years)

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2026 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date August 17, 2026              
Credit Expiration Date  August 17, 2029

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH
This course is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Course Number: BES26_05_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs and download a Certificate of Completion, learners are required to complete all components of the course, including a passing score of 70% or higher on the summative assessment.  Participants are provided unlimited attempts to complete the summative assessment with a passing score of 70% or higher.

• After completing the course requirements download a Certificate of Completion. 
• Participants are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: cehs@iibec.org
• If you are a member of AIA and would like IIBEC to report your participation in the course to AIA, there is a place in the course evaluation survey to input your AIA member number.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.