What is the snow load for Pennsylvania?

Most central Pennsylvania roofs, if built correctly, should withstand a snow load of at least 12-14 inches, said Michelle Benoit, professional engineer from BE Structural PC, Lemoyne. “We’re in that borderline range,” Benoit said, adding that repeated melting and refreezing makes the load heavier.

What is the ground snow load?

The ground snow load is pretty much what it sounds like: A predictable load situation that is derived from snowfall records over the years in a particular region (photo 2).

What is snow load?

Snow load is the downward force on a building’s roof by the weight of accumulated snow and ice. The roof or the entire structure can fail if the snow load exceeds the weight the building was designed to shoulder. Or if the building was poorly designed or constructed. It doesn’t take a blizzard to cause problems.

How do you calculate snow drift load?

First, find if snow drift loading is necessary, per ASCE 7.7-1: If hc/hb<0.2, then snow drift application is not necessary. hc/hb=13.8ft/1.17ft=11.8>0.2 and therefore, snow drift loading is necessary.

What building code does Pennsylvania use?

The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) regulates the codes and standards of building projects in the Commonwealth. The UCC has been enforced since April 2004 across Pennsylvania.

Is snow a live load or dead load?

Live loads are those loads produced by the use and occupancy of a building or structure and do not include construction loads, environmental loads (such as wind loads, snow loads, rain loads, earthquake loads and flood loads) or dead loads (see the definition of “Live Load” in IBC 202).

How do you calculate ground snow load?

To figure out the load on your roof, take the depth of snow in feet and multiply it by the weight of a cubic foot of snow. If the snow weighs 10 pounds per cubic foot and there are 1.5 feet on the roof, each square foot of the roof is getting 15 pounds of pressure.

Are metal roofs better for snow?

While ice and snow are typically the enemy of roofs everywhere, residential metal roofs provide much better protection from winter weather damage than many other types of residential roofing.

How is snow load calculated?

What pitch roof is best for snow?

Roofs in snowy climates should have a slope of at least a 10-degree pitch minimum. A steeper angled roof sheds the snow more quickly. While the angle of the roof helps shed snow, adding too many angles to the roof for a more aesthetic effect could cause structural problems with snow shedding in the wintertime.

What is a drift load?

Drift load was the heterosis effect created by interpopulation outbreeding. Results showed that segregating load was unrelated to long-term size. However, drift load was significantly higher in populations of small effective size and low density.

Where can I find the ground snow load?

Use our ASCE Ground Snow Loads map to easily obtain the ground snow load (Figure 7-1 of ASCE 7-10) for any location in the contiguous United States. You can click on the map below to determine the design ground snow load, latitude and longitude and elevation for that location.

What should the ground snow load be on a roof?

The ground snow load, Pg, shall be indicated. In areas where the ground snow load, Pg, exceeds 10 pounds per square foot (psf) (0.479 kN/m 2 ), the following additional information shall also be provided, regardless of whether snow loads govern the design of the roof:

What are the unfavorable weather conditions in Pennsylvania?

For the purpose of this chapter, unfavorable weather or road conditions shall include: (i) Snow covered highways until pavement has been plowed full width, icy pavements until highway has been cindered or salted. (ii) Driving rain, fog, snow storm; or other atmospheric conditions which restrict visibility to less than 1,000 feet.

How are ground snow loads determined in ASCE?

Site-specific case studies are also required to establish ground snow loads at elevations not covered. * Ground snow loads derived from Figure 7-1 of ASCE 7-10, with permission from ASCE. Local codes and ammendments may govern, verify with local building department or jurisdiction.