Wind-tunnel simulations of wind influence on snow load distribution on roofs

Abstract

The paper summarizes the problem of snow load prediction on building roofs, the importance of wind action in context of this load and the scope of wind tunnel applications in such research with more detailed description of experimental stand in Cracow University of Technology. Author reports the scope of experimental and theoretical research on snow load carried out over the years 2004-2012 in the boundary layer wind tunnel located at Wind Engineering Laboratory CUT. The research were conducted in the course of design processes on three models of arena-like buildings with large roofs, and one research on more general flat roof building.

Keywords

• snow load
• wind
• wind tunnel
• model tests