Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
(OP)
I have a condition where a higher gable roof abuts a lower flat roof. There is a large enough height difference to allow drifts to form on the lower roof and to allow snow to slid off the upper. My qeustion is: Do I have to combine both the sliding and the drifting loads on top of the balanced snow load on the lower roof? ASCE 7-02 says to sumperimpose the drift (or sliding snow) onto the balanced snow load, but makes does not mention what to do if both are present. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.






RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
I think your original question is clear to say that there exists the possibility of drifting and sliding. I would say common sense says that they must be superimposed with all other loads that act upon the structure at the same time. I would not try to reach any compromise short of this simply because I think anybody would have a hard time defending that decision when the lives are lost.
Think about under this light and see what you come up with. Would you like yourself and your family to be sleeping under that roof when you know the engineer that designed it found a code that somewhat allowed a roof that is not designed for what you know will be imposed? I would not.
Good lock
RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
As geoffdale mentions, the 3x the ground snow load is often used as a maximum snow drift load.
RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding
RE: Snow Loads - Drifting & Sliding