Wind tunnel model tests of snow precipitation and redistribution on rooftops, terraces and in the vicinity of high-rise buildings

Abstract

This paper describes the model tests conducted in the Wind Engineering Laboratory of the Cracow University of Technology aimed at determining the shape coefficients of snow load on high-rise buildings of The Warsaw Hub. The shape coefficient was measured at two different situations: snow precipitation and its subsequent redistribution. The model tests were conducted independently for rooftops and terraces in the scale of 1:120 and for the neighbouring area of the buildings in the scale of 1:300. The results allowed for creation of snow shape coefficient maps on the investigated areas both for snow precipitation and redistribution for the use of designers, constructors and architects.