RoofDek D137: Deep Structural Roof Deck for Long-Span Applications
The RoofDek D137 is a 137mm deep structural roof deck engineered for large-span industrial and commercial buildings. With a 930mm cover width and S320 steel grade construction, D137 delivers exceptional stiffness and load-carrying capacity for spans up to 7.00m solid and 6.50m perforated.
Available in solid and web perforated versions, D137 combines structural performance with optional acoustic benefits. Choose from steel or aluminium, with multiple gauge options to match exact project requirements.
Key Specifications:
- Depth: 137mm
- Cover Width: 930mm (wider coverage than D100)
- Pitch: 310mm
- Steel Grade: S320 (higher strength)
- Gauges: 0.75mm, 0.90mm, 1.25mm steel; 1.20mm aluminium
- Minimum Bearing: 100mm on purlin
Typical Applications
Large Industrial Sheds
Heavy-duty manufacturing facilities and production plants requiring long unsupported roof spans.
Distribution Centres
Wide, unobstructed warehouse and logistics spaces with demanding load and span requirements.
Aircraft Hangars
Large-span aviation facilities where depth and stiffness are critical for structural integrity.
Large Retail Spaces
Commercial retail buildings, shopping centres, and supermarkets with open-plan floor layouts.
Sports Halls & Recreation
Indoor sports facilities and recreation venues requiring clear internal spans without intermediate support.
Acoustic Control Spaces
Open-plan offices and facilities where perforated D137 provides both structural capacity and noise reduction.
Why RoofDek D137 Is Used in Modern Construction
- Long-Span Capability: Spans up to 7.00m solid (6.50m perforated) eliminate intermediate support columns, maximising usable floor space and reducing structural complexity.
- S320 Steel Grade: Higher strength than S280 used in shallower profiles, providing superior load-carrying capacity and reduced deflection across extended spans.
- Wider Cover Width: 930mm coverage width exceeds D100 (700mm), improving installation speed and reducing material waste on site.
- Exceptional Stiffness: Moment of inertia values up to 485.63 cm⁴/m deliver minimal deflection under imposed loads, critical for sensitive equipment installations and precision manufacturing.
- Acoustic Flexibility: Perforated D137 (pattern 3327) provides sound absorption in open-plan spaces while retaining full structural strength.
- Cost Efficiency: Single deep profile replaces multiple shallower decks, reducing complexity and total installed cost for large-span applications.
- Proven Performance: Engineered and tested for Australia’s demanding industrial and commercial construction standards.
Key Technical Features
137mm Depth
Provides substantial cantilever capacity and moment resistance for heavy distributed loads and concentrated point loads.
100mm Minimum Bearing
Reduced bearing requirement compared to deeper profiles, simplifying purlin design and detailing.
Deflection Control
Imposed span/200, Suction span/150 ensures minimal vertical movement under operational loads.
Material Options
Steel (S320, multiple gauges) or aluminium (Rp0.2 165) for corrosive environments and salt-air exposure.
Perforated Pattern 3327
3.3mm holes at 6.0mm triangular centres; 7.0% open soffit area. Smaller openings than shallower profiles retain structural capacity.
Colorcoat Available
Factory-applied protective coatings for enhanced durability and architectural finish in exposed applications.
Section Properties & Span Ranges
Solid D137 – Span Range 3.25m to 7.00m
| Material & Gauge | Mass (kg/m²) | Ax (cm²/m) | Ay (cm²/m) | Ix (cm⁴/m) | Iy (cm⁴/m) | Jx (cm⁴/m) | Wx+ (cm³/m) | Wx- (cm³/m) | Wy (cm³/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75mm Steel S320 | 0.71 | 9.45 | 9.01 | 279.81 | 7.38 | 268.38 | 23.00 | 5.44 | 47.87 |
| 0.90mm Steel S320 | 0.86 | 11.35 | 11.88 | 345.35 | 10.01 | 334.72 | 33.69 | 8.17 | 68.14 |
| 1.25mm Steel S320 | 1.21 | 15.78 | 19.20 | 483.31 | 16.46 | 485.63 | 64.95 | 16.49 | 129.04 |
| 1.20mm Aluminium Rp0.2 165 | 1.20 | 5.25 | 7.91 | 424.24 | 7.04 | 431.40 | 24.10 | 6.11 | 47.91 |
Perforated D137 (Pattern 3327) – Span Range 2.75m to 6.50m
Web perforated – pattern 3327 (27%). Open area: 7.0% of exposed soffit, 11.5% of cover area. Holes: 3.3mm diameter at 6.0mm triangular centres.
| Material & Gauge | Mass (kg/m²) | Ax (cm²/m) | Ay (cm²/m) | Ix (cm⁴/m) | Iy (cm⁴/m) | Jx (cm⁴/m) | Wx+ (cm³/m) | Wx- (cm³/m) | Wy (cm³/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75mm Steel S320 | 0.71 | 8.79 | 8.92 | 275.96 | 6.75 | 263.26 | 15.05 | 3.47 | 31.72 |
| 0.90mm Steel S320 | 0.86 | 10.55 | 11.70 | 339.98 | 9.04 | 329.11 | 22.35 | 5.28 | 45.23 |
| 1.25mm Steel S320 | 1.21 | 14.68 | 19.09 | 475.30 | 15.00 | 478.07 | 43.86 | 10.83 | 85.50 |
| 1.20mm Aluminium Rp0.2 165 | 1.20 | 4.88 | 7.84 | 418.81 | 6.33 | 418.45 | 16.27 | 4.01 | 31.73 |
Design & Specification Considerations
- S320 Steel Grade Advantage: D137 uses S320 steel (higher strength than S280 in shallower profiles), enabling longer spans and heavier loads with minimal deflection.
- Gauge Selection: Available in 0.75mm, 0.90mm, and 1.25mm steel gauges; 1.20mm aluminium only. Select gauge based on span, load class, and budget requirements.
- Perforated Pattern 3327 vs Shallower Profiles: D137 perforated uses pattern 3327 (27% open area, 3.3mm holes at 6.0mm centres), which differs from the 4546 pattern (46%) used on D46/D60/D100. This delivers lower acoustic absorption but retains higher structural stiffness for long-span applications.
- Vapour Control Layer Positioning: When soffit is exposed on perforated D137, VCL must be installed UNDERNEATH the tray to prevent moisture penetration into building envelope.
- Bearing Requirements: Minimum 100mm bearing on purlin. Ensure purlin flange width and connection detailing accommodate deck end geometry.
- Deflection Limits: Design for imposed load span/200 and suction load span/150. Verify this meets specific project requirements, particularly for sensitive equipment or enclosed finishes.
- Span Selection: Solid D137 spans 3.25m to 7.00m; perforated 2.75m to 6.50m. Longer spans may require larger gauge or dual purlin systems.
- Coatings & Finishes: Standard mill finish, Colorcoat factory-applied, or site-applied paint. Select based on environment (corrosion exposure), aesthetic requirements, and maintenance budget.
- Aluminum vs Steel: Aluminium (Rp0.2 165, 1.20mm only) for coastal, agricultural, or chemically corrosive environments. Steel S320 standard for inland sites; Colorcoat for enhanced protection.
Installation Considerations
- Layout & Planning: Detailed design drawings and installation instructions are required before site delivery. Account for roof pitch (310mm), trough direction, and penetration locations.
- Purlin Spacing & Alignment: Ensure purlins are level, properly spaced, and aligned to deck profile. Twisted or misaligned purlins cause poor deck seating and profile distortion.
- Fastening: Use appropriate fasteners (self-drilling screws or powder-actuated pins) at specified centres. Follow design drawings for fastening patterns; under-fastening compromises load distribution.
- Overlap & Continuity: End-lap panels minimum 150mm. Side-lap fasteners typically at 600mm centres. Check design documentation for project-specific requirements.
- Waterproofing & Sealing: Sealed end laps and carefully installed flashings are critical to roof integrity. Poor sealing leads to internal corrosion and water damage.
- Perforated Deck Installation: VCL placement underneath exposed perforated soffit is essential. Verify VCL extends fully beneath deck to prevent moisture ingress.
- Site Safety: D137 depth requires robust temporary bracing and worker fall protection. Ensure site safety protocols are in place during installation.
- Quality Control: Inspect each section for profile integrity, fastening compliance, and waterproofing before commencing next section. Document installation progress and any deviations.
Common Problems Solved by RoofDek D137
Long-Span Deflection
D137’s exceptional stiffness (Ix up to 485.63 cm⁴/m) minimises sagging and movement in structures spanning 6–7 metres without intermediate support.
Complex Purlin Layouts
Wider cover width (930mm) and standardised section properties simplify design calculations and reduce the number of support points required.
Acoustic Requirements
Perforated D137 (pattern 3327) provides sound absorption for open-plan spaces while maintaining structural capacity for long spans.
Corrosive Environments
Aluminium option (Rp0.2 165, 1.20mm) or Colorcoat-protected steel for coastal, agricultural, and chemically exposed locations.
Equipment Vibration Control
High moment of inertia reduces vibration transmission and provides stable support for sensitive machinery and precision manufacturing equipment.
Construction Schedule
Single deep profile eliminates need for multiple shallow decks and intermediate bracing, reducing installation time and labour costs.
RMD Profiles Services
RoofDek D137 is supported by comprehensive design, engineering, and supply services from RMD Profiles.
Supply Only
RoofDek D137 delivered to site, ready for installation. You manage design, fastening, and site work.
Supply & Design Service
RMD engineers design the roof deck system for your building, verify structural adequacy, and supply material. You manage installation and site coordination.
Supply & Fix Service
RMD supplies and installs the complete D137 roof deck system. We manage fastening schedules, alignment, and on-site quality assurance.
Tool Hire & Equipment
Specialised deck-laying equipment available for hire. Includes handling rigs, temporary bracing, and cutting tools for on-site preparation.
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Safety Netting & Containment
Temporary netting and edge protection systems meet site safety requirements during deck installation and construction phases.
Technical Support & Site Assistance
On-call technical advice during design and construction phases. RMD representatives available to advise on installation, fastening, and problem resolution.
What is RoofDek D137?
RoofDek D137 is a high-performance structural roof deck engineered for industrial and commercial buildings requiring long, unsupported spans. Its 137mm depth, wide 930mm cover width, and S320 steel grade deliver exceptional load-carrying capacity and stiffness for spans up to 7.00m solid or 6.50m perforated.
Available in solid or web perforated (pattern 3327) configurations, D137 combines structural strength with optional acoustic performance. Multiple material options-0.75mm, 0.90mm, and 1.25mm steel grades, plus 1.20mm aluminium-ensure selection for any application from standard warehousing to corrosive coastal environments.
The perforated variant provides sound absorption in open-plan facilities while maintaining full structural performance. RoofDek D137 is manufactured by RMD Profiles to Australian standards and supported by comprehensive design, fabrication, and installation services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What span can RoofDek D137 achieve?
Solid D137 spans up to 7.00 metres; perforated D137 up to 6.50 metres. Actual span depends on steel gauge, load class, and deflection limits. RMD Profiles provides detailed span tables and load curves for each gauge and material.
Why does D137 use S320 steel instead of S280?
S320 steel is 14% stronger than S280. At D137’s 137mm depth, the higher strength grade enables longer spans, higher load capacity, and lower deflection. This makes D137 more efficient and cost-effective for large-span applications than using shallower profiles with lower-grade steel.
What is the difference between D137 perforated pattern 3327 and the 4546 pattern used on shallower profiles?
D137 uses pattern 3327 (27% open area, 3.3mm holes at 6.0mm triangular centres) versus pattern 4546 (46% open area) on D46, D60, and D100. The smaller openings in D137 retain greater structural stiffness needed for long spans, though acoustic absorption is slightly lower. Choose based on acoustic vs structural requirements.
How should VCL be positioned with perforated D137?
When soffit is exposed, vapour control layer (VCL) must be installed UNDERNEATH the perforated tray. This prevents moisture and condensation from entering the building envelope through the perforations.
When should I choose D137 vs D100?
D100 (100mm depth) suits spans up to 5.50m and lighter loads. D137 (137mm depth) is specified for spans 6–7 metres, heavier imposed loads, and applications requiring maximum stiffness. D137’s greater depth and higher steel grade make it ideal for long-span industrial facilities; D100 is more economical for shorter-span, standard-duty applications.
Is D137 available in aluminium?
Yes, aluminium D137 is available in 1.20mm gauge only, with Rp0.2 yield strength 165 MPa. Aluminium is specified for corrosive environments (coastal, agricultural, chemical exposure) where steel corrosion risk is high. Aluminium is lighter but lower in stiffness than equivalent steel; confirm span capability with RMD Profiles.
Ready to Specify RoofDek D137?
RMD Profiles provides complete structural roof deck solutions for industrial and commercial buildings. From design and fabrication to installation support, our expert team ensures your project exceeds Australian building standards.
