Snow load is the weight of snow that accumulates on the roof or other elevated surfaces of a structure. Snow load is an important consideration in the design of structures in colder climates, as it can cause significant stress on the roof and the supporting structure. The amount of snow load that a structure can withstand depends on various factors, such as the type and slope of the roof, the temperature and moisture content of the snow, and the location and elevation of the structure.
Different types of snow load with examples are:
- Uniform load: This is the weight of the snow that is uniformly distributed over the entire roof surface. This is the most common type of snow load and is calculated based on the weight of snow per unit area and the design snow load specified in the building codes.
- Partial load: This is the weight of the snow that accumulates in certain areas of the roof due to the shape, slope, or obstructions on the roof surface. Partial loads are calculated based on the weight of snow per unit area and the shape and location of the area.
- Drift load: This is the weight of the snow that accumulates in areas of the roof due to the wind direction and the shape of the roof. Drift loads are calculated based on the weight of snow per unit area and the location and height of the drift.
To calculate snow load, various factors such as the type and slope of the roof, the design snow load specified in the building codes, and the location and elevation of the structure must be considered. Building codes and standards provide guidelines for calculating snow load based on the type of structure and its location. The load calculations are typically based on a combination of the maximum expected load and a safety factor, to ensure that the structure can safely bear the load. Engineers may also conduct computer simulations and tests to verify the safety and performance of the structure under different snow load scenarios.
