Lecture 23 Snow Loads per IBC

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The IBC dictates that snow loads shall be determined in accordance with another reference ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. Ground Snow Loads: The map of the United States shown in Figure 1608.2 shows contours of ground snow loading, pg, in terms of pounds per square foot. These loads are based on a statistical probability of being exceeded of 2% per year (or once every 50 years). Many places on the map, especially mountainous regions, indicates CS, which means that site-specific case studies are necessary to determine snow loading in these regions. The snow loading map for New York is shown below:

Gray area = CS (Case specific)

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Flat Roof Snow Loads: The ground snow loads shown above are used to determine the snow load on a flat-roof structure, pf, using the formula below: pf = 0.7CeCtIspg where: Ce = Exposure factor from Table 1608.3.1 Ct = Thermal factor from Table 1608.3.2 Is = Importance factor from Table 1604.5 pg = Ground snow load from Figure 1608.2 Example 1 GIVEN: A new hospital is to be built in a fully-exposed open terrain with scattered obstructions area near Syracuse, NY. REQUIRED: Determine the flat-roof snow load for the building. a) Determine the Terrain Category: From Section 1609.4 assume the terrain is Exposure C since it is an open terrain with scattered obstructions. b) Determine the Exposure factor: From Table 1608.3.1, under Exposure C and fully-exposed use Ce = 0.9 c) Determine the Thermal factor: From Table 1608.3.2 use Ct = 1.0 d) Determine the Importance factor: The building is a hospital (Category IV), from Table 1604.5 use Is = 1.2 e) Determine the ground snow load: From the New York State snow map above, use pg = 55 psf f) Determine the flat-roof snow load: pf = 0.7CeCtIspg = 0.7(0.9)(1.0)(1.2)(55 psf) pf = 41.6 psf

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Sloped-Roof Snow Loads: If a roof has a slope greater than 50 with the horizontal, it is considered to be a sloped roof. The load acting on the sloped surface, ps, is assumed to act on the horizontal projection of that surface. ps = Cspf where: Cs = slope factor of roof and whether it is a warm or cold roof = from ASCE 7 Figure 7-2 below An unobstructed slippery surface is one in which all snow is free to fall off the roof unimpeded. Metal, slate, glass, plastic and rubber are considered to be slippery surfaces. Wood, asphalt and other rough surfaces are NOT considered slippery. Example 2

pf = flat-roof snow load

Ct = 1.2

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Example 2 GIVEN: A warm building with a roof profile as shown below. The flat-roof snow load was calculated to be 32 psf. The roof is constructed of standing-seam metal roof panels, with no gutters or obstructions. REQUIRED: Determine the balanced sloped-roof snow load. ps

8 12 24-0 24-0

Since the roof is metal and unobstructed, it is considered to be unobstructed slippery surface. Use the dashed-lines from Figure 7-2a above to determine Cs Cs 0.58 ps = Cspf = 0.58(32 psf) ps = 18.6 psf

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Unbalanced Snow Loads: An unbalanced snow load is an uneven snow distribution resulting from blowing winds. Balanced and unbalanced snow loads shall be analyzed separately. For hip and gable roofs, unbalanced snow loads can be determined from ASCE 7 Figure 7-5 below:

1 .5 p s Ce

0.3 p s

1.2(1 + ) p s 2 Ce

where: = 1.0 if pg < 20 psf = 1.5 0.025pg if 20 < pg < 40 psf = 0.5 if pg > 40 psf

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Example 3 GIVEN: The building from Example 2. The ground snow load = 30 psf and Exposure factor Ce = 1.1. REQUIRED: Determine the unbalanced snow loads. a) Determine W = 24-0 as referenced from Figure 7-5 above b) Determine = 1.5 0.025pg since pg = 30 psf = 1.5 0.025(30 psf) = 0.75 c) Determine snow load on left half = 0.3ps = 0.3(18.6 psf) = 5.6 psf d) Determine snow load on right half = 1.2(1 + (/2))ps/Ce = 1.2(1 + (0.75/2))18.6 psf/1.1 = 27.9 psf Draw a summary sketch: 5.6 psf 27.9 psf

8 12 24-0 24-0

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Snow Drift Loads: Wind-blown snow on flat roofs that are obstructed by walls of taller sections of building causes wind drifts. These additional loads from drifts can be VERY SUBSTANTIAL, often as much as 4-5 times as much as the flat-roof snow load!! The ASCE 7 Figure 7-8 below shows the terms that are used in the determination of snow drift loads:

High roof Low roof

where: lu = Length of high roof in feet hd = Drift height in feet = 0.433 l u 4 p g + 10 1.5 pd = Weight of snow drift (additional to pf) at face of wall, psf = hd

= Unit weight of snow in pounds per cubic foot = 0.13pg + 14 < 30 pcf
W = Drift width in feet = 4hd if hd < hc = 8hd if hd = hc

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Example 4 GIVEN: The building profile below. The balanced flat-roof snow load is 28 psf and the ground snow load = 40 psf. REQUIRED: Determine the total snow loading due to drift at the face of the wall of the high roof and indicate the width at which drift loads occur. lu = 100-0 High roof 10-0 ptot pd W Ground a) Determine the height of drift: hd = 0.433 lu 4 p g + 10 1.5 = 0.433 100' 4 40 psf + 10 1.5 = 3.81 feet b) Determine the unit weight of snow: pf = 28 psf Low roof

= 0.13pg + 14 = 0.13(40 psf) + 14 = 19.2 pcf

c) Determine the weight of the drift snow: pd = hd = 3.81(19.2 pcf) = 73.2 psf d) Determine the total weight of snow at the face of the wall: ptot = pd + pf = 73.2 psf + 28 psf ptot = 101.2 psf e) Determine the width of drift: Since the height of drift is quite a bit less than 10-0, W = 4hd W = 4(3.81) = 15.24 feet

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