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ASCE 7 Snow Drift

ASCE 7 Snow Drift

ASCE 7 Snow Drift

(OP)
Has anyone thought about (or already created) a program that directly calculates snow drift on generalized configurations of roof geometry? Sometimes with wonky roofs with some low and high, it would be nice to input the general geometry and allow a program map out a drift profile.

Thoughts about this? I understand that trying to combine the drift provisions in a general sense would likely result in some roof zones (of complex geometry) requiring engineering judgement or rational approach outside ASCE 7.

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

Our office uses two different drift spreadsheets.

One is for parallel drift onto framing members, and the other is for perpindicular. The configuration settings account for parapets, upper/lower roofs, and pretty much every situation where there isn't a gratuitous amount of pitch.

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

Quote (MacGruber22)

Thoughts about this?

I used to deal with drift all day every day back in my wood truss designer days (lots of ski hills near by). It was a constant battle to decide what ought to be done in complicated scenarios, even by hand. So my thoughts are:

1) I would love to have such software.
2) I would find the challenge of creating such software extremely daunting.
3) If code allowed it explicitly, maybe something using CFD could find application in the distant future. I'm not sure if I would actually welcome that however. As time marches on, I find myself wishing for computers to be less a part of structural engineering rather than more.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

(OP)

Quote (KootK)

I would find the challenge of creating such software extremely daunting.

Indeed. I had been thinking about how to do it with Excel/VBA for some time.

Quote (KootkK)

CFD
Pardon my ignorance. Computer,...,Design?

Quote (Kootk)

I find myself wishing for computers to be less a part of structural engineering rather than more

Well, of course I agree with respect to "autonomous" software. Sometimes I think that structural engineers are going to be working for more software developers than as practicing engineers in the future...

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

Sorry. Computational Fluid Dynamics. Fake, digital wind depositing fake, digital snow. Essentially fake, digital engineering.

I'd be up for being on the software side of things altogether. Unfortunately, the world only seems to need about 50 of those guys.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

I've kind of taken a shot at a very simple sliding snow calculator:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/slidingsnow/sli...

But I've never had the need for a drift calculator otherwise I probably would have attacked that one by now.

A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

My thinking is that the future of engineering is automation and programs. The MPC wood truss industry is already there. Residential work isn't too far behind. The Woodworks Shearwall program is a step in that direction but still has a ways to go. When you purchase a wood package (ie. TJI floor) the layout and engineering is done by the tech. at the lumber company, you don't need an engineer on staff to do that.

At some point the engineers will primarily be developing or maintaining engineering software that does the bulk of the day to day engineering work.

A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

(OP)

Quote (medeek)

But I've never had the need for a drift calculator...

I am surprised by that.

Quote (medeek)

the layout and engineering is done by the tech

The nightmare is coming true. And, don't worry those techs will start to call themselves "engineers" in due time.

This thread has gotten very depressing. I must go and knot my rope...

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

RE: ASCE 7 Snow Drift

Quote (MG22)

This thread has gotten very depressing. I must go and knot my rope...

Sorry about that. I'll try to do a better job of staying on point. What level of detail are you thinking? Surely less than CFD. But then you've probably already got a spreadsheet that handles a typical roof step for drift. Mine will spit out the loads on parallel / perpendicular framing under the drift.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

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