Reliability-Based Design Snow Loads. I: Site-Specific Probability Models for Ground Snow Loads
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper describes a new method for fitting probability distributions for modeling annual maximum ground snow loads for use in structural design. These probability models are intended for use in reliability assessments to determine reliability-targeted ground snow loads, as described in the companion paper. The proposed method emphasizes the upper tail of the distributions, because the upper tail is most critical for the reliability assessment and for determination of design loads. A combination of site-specific and region of influence approaches results in annual maximum snow load distributions whose magnitudes are consistent with historical data observed at the site of interest but with upper tail shapes that are informed by historical snow records at a number of similar sites. Clusters of sites with similar snow accumulation patterns are utilized to improve the definition of the snow load distribution at sites in the cluster.
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Acknowledgments
This paper summarizes work done by the Structural Engineers Association of Colorado Snow Loads Committee. Other members of the committee have contributed extensively to the study, including Richard Cunningham and Robert Pattillo. The contributions of Michael DePaolo are also gratefully acknowledged. Support for this work also was provided by J. R. Harris & Co.; this support is gratefully acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 7 • July 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 4, 2016
Accepted: Oct 24, 2016
Published online: Mar 3, 2017
Published in print: Jul 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Aug 3, 2017
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