How to Calculate Snow Loads with Engineering Software

By eHow Computers Editor

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The challenge of snow loads in colder environments keeps engineers like you hard at work all year. Every building needs to account for heavy snow loads over a prolonged period in order to withstand winter conditions. You can simulate snow loads on your design and calculate appropriate measurements using engineering software.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Blueprints

Determine the Impact of Snow Loads Using Software

Step1

Initiate snow load calculations by determining the pounds per square foot (PSF) of snow in the area of measurement. The PSF allows you to determine the pressure the snow load applies to a roof or sidewall, based on the thickness and depth of the snow involved.

Step2

Measure the thickness of the covered surface to assess the influence of snow loads. Your engineering software will allow you to simulate typical roof, basement and sidewall thickness before you calculate snow loads.

Step3

Test out the influence of snow loads on different surface types before you begin calculations with engineering software. Snow loads apply different pressure on roofs than they do on sidewalls, and you should familiarize yourself with these differences.

Step4

Apply the pitch or angle of a covered surface to determine the total pressure that is applied to the surface in question. Most engineering software allows you to simulate angled roofing, which eases the pressure applied by snow loads with steeper grades.

Step5

Adjust the PSF of snow loads based on the amount of ice and other material that may be mixed in with fallen snow. Snow loads will accumulate dirt and ice if left on a building over a long period. If your software does not include these variables, you can calculate approximate weight for miscellaneous particles and insert these figures into the program.

Step6

Set a limit for snow loads on residential and commercial buildings in your software based on state regulations. Building commissions in each state have a different assessment of safe snow loads, and you should use your state's maximum limit to inform your calculations.

Step7

Insert the wind-load factor to account for drifting and added pressure on targeted buildings. You should be able to account for snow and wind loads simultaneously in your engineering software as you design a new structure.

Tips & Warnings

Compile snow load scenarios on your engineering software using past conditions. You should review notes and forecasts from past projects to create snow amounts, temperatures and wind conditions that contribute to snow loads. Most engineering software allows you to save these types of scenarios for application on future designs.