Abstract
A considerable number of studies have been carried out for predicting snowdrifts on roofs over the years. However, few studies have focused on snowdrifts on complex long-span roofs, as the complex shape and fine structure pose significant challenges. In this study, to simplify the calculation requirements of snow load on such roofs, work was conducted to decompose the snowdrift on a complex roof into snowdrifts on several simple roofs. First, the snow–wind tunnel test similarity criteria were investigated based on a combined air–snow–wind experimental system. Thereafter, with reference to the validated experimental similarity criteria, a series of snow–wind tunnel tests were performed for snowdrifts on a complex long-span structure under the conditions of different inflow directions. Finally, based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the snowdrifts on the complex roof were decomposed into basic characteristic distribution modes, including snowdrifts caused by the local and overall roof forms. The snow distribution under a specific inflow direction could be derived from the weighted combination of the basic characteristic modes, based on the wind direction coefficients. Therefore, it is possible for the snow load on a complex roof to be estimated preliminarily based on the snow distributions on several simple roofs.
Highlights
Snow-induced building collapse occurs frequently in long-span structures; for example, the collapse of the Katowice Trade Hall (Poland, 2006), the collapse of an ice rink in Bad Reichenhall (Germany, 2006), and the collapse of the Minnesota Vikings membrane stadium (USA, 2010)
The snowdrift shape coefficients μ on the membrane roof in different inflow directions are depositions occur on the windward and leeward surfaces along the air stream
The local roof shape has the greatest influence on the snowdrift on the complex roof; whereas, the contribution of the whole roof shape to the snowdrift depends on the dominant wind direction
Summary
Snow-induced building collapse occurs frequently in long-span structures; for example, the collapse of the Katowice Trade Hall (Poland, 2006), the collapse of an ice rink in Bad Reichenhall (Germany, 2006), and the collapse of the Minnesota Vikings membrane stadium (USA, 2010). The snow load requirements are only provided for the design of buildings with certain simple roofs (e.g., flat roof, pitch roof, and gable roof, among others) in different national load codes [2,3], and few requirements are available for long-span structures. It is usually suggested that the snow load distribution coefficients for large or special-shaped buildings be defined following specific research or experiments in certain national codes [4,5]. In terms of the related special research methods, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and wind tunnel experiment are usually adopted for the practical design of snowdrifts on or around.
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