TECHNICAL PAPERS
Feb 1, 1985

Drift Snow Loads on Multilevel Roofs

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 111, Issue 2

Abstract

A database of snowdrift case histories on multilevel flat roofed structures has been established and is statistically analyzed. Drifted snow loads on multilevel roofs account for a large percentage of the roof losses in the U.S. However, little quantitative information is presently available about factors which influence drift formation. The process of drift formation is discussed; and a relationship between drift height and ground snow load, roof lengths, and roof elevation difference, obtained using multiple linear regression is presented. Drift slope and snow density characteristics are also studied. Finally, snowdrift case histories are compared with drift load provisions in building codes and load standards and recommendations for future research are made.

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References

1.
American National Standard Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ANSI A58.1‐1982, American National Standards Institute, New York N.Y., 1982.
2.
Canadian Structural Design Manual, Supplement No. 4 to the National Building Code of Canada, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, 1970.
3.
Chin, I., Gouwens, A., and Hanson, J., “Review of Roof Failures in the Chicago Area Under Heavy Snow Loads,” preprint 80‐145, American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, N.Y., 1980.
4.
Ellingwood, B., and Redfield, R., “Ground Snow Loads for Structural Design,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 109, No. 4, New York, N.Y., 1983.
5.
Finney, E. A., “Snow Drift Control by Highway Design,” Michigan State College Engineering Stn. Bulletin 86, 1939.
6.
Hartzell, F., “Case History of Drifted Snow on a Multilevel Roof,” paper presented at American Society of Civil Engineers Meeting in New York, N.Y., 1981.
7.
International Standard, ISO 4355‐1981, “Bases for Design of Structures—Determination of Snow Loads on Roofs,” International Organization for Standardization, 1981.
8.
“Investigation of Partial Roof Collapse at J. P. Stevens and Co. Inc., Warehouse Bryant No. 5, Wallace, N.C., for Toplis and Harding, Inc.,” Throop and Feiden P.C., Consulting Structural Engineers, New York, N.Y., 1973.
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Metal Building Systems Manual, Metal Building Manufacturers Association, Cleveland, Ohio, 1981.
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Michon, T., “Analysis of Snow Loading on Structures,” Department of Civil Engineering Report, R.P.I., Troy, N.Y., 1981.
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O'Rourke, M., Redfield, R., and von Bradsky, P., “Snow Loads on Structures; Uniform Loads,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 108, No. 12, New York, N.Y., 1982.
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O'Rourke, M., Koch, P., and Redfield, R., “Analysis of Snow Load Case Studies; Uniform Loads,” U.S. Army CRREL, Hanover, N.H., 1982.
13.
O'Rourke, M., and Stiefel, U., “Roof Snow Loads for Structural Design,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 109, No. 7, New York, N.Y., 1983.
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17.
Schriever, W., and Lutes, D., “Snow Accumulations in Canada, Case Histories: II,” Technical Paper No. 339, Division of Building Research, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 1971.
18.
Speck, R., Jr., “Analysis of Snow Loads Due to Drifting on Multilevel Roofs,” Master's Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, R.P.I., Troy, N.Y., 1984.
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Tabler, R., “Predicting Profiles of Snowdrifts in Topographic Catchments,” paper presented at Western Snow Conference, Coronado, Calif., 1975.
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Templin, J., and Schriever, W., “Loads Due to Drifted Snow,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 108, No. 8, New York, N.Y.1982.
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Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 111Issue 2February 1985
Pages: 290 - 306

History

Published online: Feb 1, 1985
Published in print: Feb 1985

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Authors

Affiliations

Michael J. O'Rourke, M. ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Civ. Engrg., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.
Robert S. Speck, Jr., A. M. ASCE
Design Engr., Ryan and Biggs P.C., Troy, N.Y.
Ulrich Stiefel
Doctoral Candidate, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

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