ToreroEng
Structural
- Jul 6, 2021
- 1
Hello,
I am a structural engineer working on a residential project in Revelstoke, BC, Canada. Snow load here is 7.2 kPa (150 PSF). The house has a simple pitched roof with NO roof overhang. In my mind, the snow can easily slide off the roof, or be drifted by wind, and pile up on the ground right up against the building walls. Essentially, the ground could be treated as a lower roof and the amount of snow could insulate the ground from freezing. With all this in mind, I don't see why snow should not be considered a significant surcharge on the soil that would inflict considerable lateral load on the basement walls. Can someone please comment on my approach and, if possible, help me justify if snow should not be considered surcharge? I don't want to unnecessarily overdesign the basement walls. Thank you!
I am a structural engineer working on a residential project in Revelstoke, BC, Canada. Snow load here is 7.2 kPa (150 PSF). The house has a simple pitched roof with NO roof overhang. In my mind, the snow can easily slide off the roof, or be drifted by wind, and pile up on the ground right up against the building walls. Essentially, the ground could be treated as a lower roof and the amount of snow could insulate the ground from freezing. With all this in mind, I don't see why snow should not be considered a significant surcharge on the soil that would inflict considerable lateral load on the basement walls. Can someone please comment on my approach and, if possible, help me justify if snow should not be considered surcharge? I don't want to unnecessarily overdesign the basement walls. Thank you!