SNOW DRIFT

analysis

BY JIMENA SIERRA
TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction to snow
1
drift
2 Codes

3 FM Global

4 Example Project

5 Q/A
SNOW DRIFT
Mounds of snow piled up by the
wind.

INFLUENCING
FACTORS
Roof geometry

Wind direction
WINDWARD
From lower elevation roof towards the wall
LEEWARD
From higher elevation roof down onto an
of adjacent higher roof adjacent lower roof
WINDWARD
From lower elevation roof towards the wall
LEEWARD
From higher elevation roof down onto an
of adjacent higher roof adjacent lower roof
Roof elevation changes

Parapet walls

Gable roofs

Roof mounted equipment

SPECIFICATIONS FROM:

ASCE CHAPTER 7 SNOW LOADS

7
FM GLOBAL DATA SHEET 1-54
American mutual insurance company that specializes in loss prevention
services primarily to large corporations.
 FM GLOBAL
DATA SHEET 1-54
“ROOF LOADS AND DRAINAGE“
Snow Density

Balance Snow Load D

Pf
Ground Snow Load

Pg
For western United States For eastern United states GROUND
SNOW
LOAD
 FM GLOBAL
DATA SHEET 1-54
“ROOF LOADS AND DRAINAGE“
Balance Snow Load

Snow Density
Pf
D
Ground Snow Load

Pg
 hb hc hd hr
Clear height from the top of Maximum height of snow Difference in height between
Height of balanced
balanced snow to upper roof drift surcharge above the upper roof and lower
uniform snow load
balanced snow load roof

If Pg < 5 psf

Wb Pd Wd or
hc/hb < 0.2
Horizontal distance of roof Maximum intensity of drift Width of snow drift surcharge Drift loads on lower roofs need
upwind of drift surcharge load not be considered
SNOW DRIFT INTERSECTION AT LOWER ROOFS
SNOW DRIFT ANALYSIS FOR
“DOVER PRECISION”
PROJECT
 BUILDING • Steel joists
• Lower, middle and upper roof
INFORMATION • Parapets
Pg = 20 psf

Pf = 20 psf

Snow Density
D = 0.13Pg + 14 = 16.6 pcf

hb = Pf/D = 1.2 ft

hc = 3.1 ft
Wb = LB + 0.75 LA = 162 ft

Height of snow drift surchage, hd = 3 ft

Drift surcharge load, Pd = 51 psf

Wd = 20 ft
RESULTS
• Lower roof
THANK
thank you!
YOU!