×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Applying Snow Load and Load Case Manager - VisualAnalysis

Applying Snow Load and Load Case Manager - VisualAnalysis

Applying Snow Load and Load Case Manager - VisualAnalysis

(OP)
I have a 8.5 Feet Aluminum tube O.D 1.9" with I.D of 1.5" and I want to see if it can pass a specific snow load (Thunder Bay, Ontario)

My snow load (SLS) for Thunder Bay is at 2.45 kPa. (51.1 psf) Using VisualAnalysis, I was able to find the appropriate member. I then selected fixed supports on both ends of my aluminum member.

I want to know how to apply the correct snow load formula from the Load Case Manager. If I am not mistaken, I can use ASCE 7-10 ASD Code. What is the proper combination that I should use. What safety factors are used in such case.

If it helps understand this better, please check out the rough sketch.

Also, how can I incorporate deadload to this? I would appreciate any advice.

RE: Applying Snow Load and Load Case Manager - VisualAnalysis

It seems unlikely that using ASCE codes for Thunder Bay snow loads is appropriate. I'll assume your 2.45 kpa SLS value for snow loading is ok (it's pretty reasonable for a small structure in Thunder Bay).

The load combinations and factors are in the National Building Code of Canada Part 4 of division B. Generally you would want to try multiple load combinations to find the worst case. Deadloads would be the weight of the assemblies - you know the materials, volumes, and densities. You should be able to create a UDL from the self weight. If you anticipate permanent loads on the structure (like heavy machinery that doesn't move) that would be included in dead load as well.

RE: Applying Snow Load and Load Case Manager - VisualAnalysis

Using ASCE-7 wouldn't be acceptable to the local building authorities. Also, ASD isn't a recognized design methodology in Canada.

You should be designing to loading and combinations as per the Ontario Building Code and if you're using structural aluminium your design code would be CAN/CSA-S157.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources