Considerations for Optimizing Design with Respect to Snow—A Case Study of U.S. Bank Stadium

The optimization of the design of a structure system can lead to significant cost savings and improvement to the function and reliability of a facility. However, it is often necessary to employ methods beyond the provisions outlined in building codes and standards in order to effectively optimize a design. This is clearly highlighted when considering the effects of snow on a structure. As building geometries and structural systems push the boundaries of conventional design, a strict application of the code is not necessarily synonymous with an optimized structural design as a result of inherent generalizations. Further, building codes and standards do not provide guidance for assessing and mitigating risks associated with snow and ice that may slide and/or fall from a structure. This paper explores the design process and analysis methods that were employed in the design for snow related concerns for the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Consideration of the various aspects of snow related concerns lead to design modifications that resulted in significant reductions in both the structural steel costs and potential risks associated with snow and ice that may fall from the structure.