] [Thread] [Date] [Author]

[Stanley_P_Johnson(--nospam--at)dot.ca.gov]

I would imagine that the chapter 16 provisions are probably slanted towards
a denser snow in order to reduce the chance of underestimating loads.  You
would probably need to look for a reasonable lower bound in order to
estimate a max height based on load.  I would not be at all suprised at say
10 pcf for fresh powder.

Stan



>
> Snow loads for the 97 UBC are covered in the Appendix for chapter 16.
Given
> the ground snow load and using these formulas you can determine the
"height"
> of the base of the snow, and "height" of the drift of the snow.  These
> heights are based on a density of snow up to a maximum of 35 pcf.
>
> I have a project with windows and exhaust vents that are subject to being
> buried by snow drifts.  Is using a height determined from the appendix
> unconservative for placing windows and exhaust vents?
>
> Anyone with some experience with this?  Any good references that talk
about
> how these values are determined?
>
> Matt
>