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Wind or Snow load on Grated surface 1

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JoeBaseplate

Structural
May 31, 2011
204
I have a horizontal sunshade overhang with 11 Ga perforated steel grating with ¾” square holes on 1” oc. So the open area is about 56%. Obviously I would like to reduce the snow and wind load as much as I could and would like to apply the load to about 50% of the area. Is there anything specific about loads on perforated areas on IBC 06?

I remember working on something similar in City of Chicago (vertical mesh type roof enclosure around a basketball court) and the city engineer wanted something in writing from the mesh manufacturer about wind load on partial surface. Wonder how IBC 06 deals with this.
 
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What happens when a wet snow "clogs" the mesh. I have never seen a an allowable reduction for this. And I don't think I would take much of one.
 
You can't reduce snow load because snow will bridge across such small openings. I would not reduce wind load either, but I don't use IBC so can't comment on what they say.

BA
 
Could ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-22 be applicable (or adapted) for the wind?

I agree on not reducing the snow load.
 
I recommend considering possible future use. Seems people always decide there's too much breeze or sunshine coming through this thing, lets cover it with something.

I saw a baseball backstop fence blow over after a big advertizing banner was installed on it.
 
Even when wind hits the mesh it burbles(??) and partially clogs it. SO if they say it is 50% open - it may well be dimensionally but not aerodynamically. And 5 years down the road when it gets clogged with dust, leaves, etc - back to square one.!!
 
Agree with the others. Use the full load.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
 
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