Numerical simulations of wind-induced snow redistributions on large-span flat roofs: Development of snow transport along roof span

Abstract

The existing research on snow drifting on large-span roofs primarily concentrates on snow redistributions on specific roofs, yet it lacks a systematic exploration of snow transport development along the span. This study uses a Eulerian-Lagrangian numerical method incorporating the wind feedback to simulate snow drifting on large-span flat roofs. The method is validated by comparing the numerical simulated sand redistributions on scaled roofs with the experimental data. Based on the numerical simulation, comparisons are made among sand transport on scaled roofs, snow transport on scaled roofs and snow transport on full-scale roofs. The scaled simulations show similar results, while the results of the scaled simulations noticeably differ from those of the full-scale simulation. Characteristics of snow transport on large-span flat roofs are investigated. On the leading and rear edges of the roof, snow transport rate increases significantly, resulting in relatively large erosion. In the middle of the roof, for wind velocities lower than 6 m/s at roof height, snow transport rate decreases along the span, leading to slight deposition; for wind velocities higher than 6 m/s, snow transport rate initially increases along the span, followed by a slight decrease until reaching equilibrium, resulting in large snow erosion followed by deposition.