# Snow Load on Monopitch and Duopitch Roofs

### Technical Article

001530

08/01/2018

In Germany, DIN EN 1991-1-3 with the National Annex DIN EN 1991-1-3/NA regulates the snow loads. The standard applies to civil engineering works at an altitude of up to 1,500 m above sea level.

In order to combine the snow loads with other actions (imposed loads, wind, etc.) in defined design situations according to the combination standard DIN EN 1990, the load is classified accordingly as variable, fixed and static action [1], [2]. It is important whether normal or exceptional conditions are present at the corresponding place of construction. A normal condition is assumed if exceptional snowfalls are unlikely to happen at this location. In this case, the load for the persistent/transient design situation has to be determined. An exceptional condition is assumed if snowfalls are likely to happen at this location. In the North German Plain, snow loads up to a multiple of the numerical values have been recorded in rare cases. In this case, the load for the persistent/transient and accidental design situation has to be determined. Drifted snow loads are, according to the National Annex, no accidental actions.

[3]Normal conditionsExceptional conditions
CaseCase A
DIN EN 1991-1-3 3.2(1)
B1
DIN EN 1991-1-3 3.3(1)
DescriptionNo exceptional snowfalls
Exceptional snowfalls
Design
Situation 1
Persistent/transientPersistent/transient
Snow load s on the roofNot drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$Not drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$
Drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$Drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$
Design
Situation 2
-Exceptional (if snow is the accidental action)
Snow load s on the roof-Not drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm{Ad}$
with ${\mathrm s}_\mathrm{Ad}\;=\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm{esl}\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$
Drifted: ${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;\cdot\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm{Ad}$
with ${\mathrm s}_\mathrm{Ad}\;=\;{\mathrm C}_\mathrm{esl}\;\cdot\;{\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$
${\mathrm\mu}_\mathrm i$ = Snow load shape coefficient
${\mathrm C}_\mathrm e$ = Exposure coefficient (according to NA, ${\mathrm C}_\mathrm e\;=\;1.0$ to be applied)
${\mathrm C}_\mathrm t$ = Thermal coefficient (according to NA, ${\mathrm C}_\mathrm t\;=\;1.0$ to be applied)
${\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$ = Characteristic value of the snow load on the ground
${\mathrm s}_\mathrm{Ad}$ = Design value for accidental snow load on the ground
${\mathrm C}_\mathrm{esl}$ = Accidental snow load coefficient (according to [5], ${\mathrm C}_\mathrm{esl}\;=\;2.3$ in the North German Plain)

#### Characteristic Value of Snow Load on Ground

"The characteristic value of snow load on the ground is a fractile value of 98 % with an annual probability exceedance value of 0.02 and a return period of 50 years." [3] This value is defined in the National Annex of Germany and is calculated depending on the snow load zone and the height above sea level. The National Annex [2] shows in Figure NA.1 a map of Germany with zone indications. The exact assignment of snow loads of administrative units, particularly at the edges of the zones, has to be checked with the competent authorities [5]. The German Centre of Competence for Construction (DIBt) offers in German the table "Categorization of snow load zones according to administrative limits" for each land on this subject on its website. Moreover, this table indicates for each administrative area the assignment to the North German Plain concerning the implementation of the accidental design situation.

Zone [2], [4]Characteristic value of the snow load on the ground in kN/m² ${\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$
$0.19\;+\;0.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\;\geq\;0.65$
1a$1.25\;\cdot\;\left[0.19\;+\;0.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\right]\;\geq\;0.81$
2$0.25\;+\;1.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\;\geq\;0.85$
2a$1.25\;\cdot\;\left[0.25\;+\;1.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\right]\;\geq\;1.06$
3 1)$0.31\;+\;2.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\;\geq\;1.10$
3a and> 3a 2)$1.25\;\cdot\;\left[0.31\;+\;2.91\;\cdot\;\left(\frac{\mathrm A\;+\;140}{760}\right)^2\right]\;\geq\;1.10$
A = Ground elevation above sea level in m
1) In zone 3, higher values than specified by the equation given above may be governing for certain layers (for example, Oberharz, high elevations of the Fichtelgebirge, Reit im Winkl, Obernach / Walchensee). Information on snow load in this regions has to be requested from the competent authorities.
2) New zones 3a and> 3a on the basis of [4] according to the notification of the Supreme Building Authority in the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior of 19.01.2018

#### Determination with Dlubal Online Service

The Dlubal online service Snow Load Zones, Wind Zones and Earthquake Zones combines the standardization with the digital technology of the Internet. The service places, depending on the selected load type (snow, wind, earthquake) and the country-specific standard, the respective zone map over the map of Google Maps. By using the search, it is possible to place a marker on the planned place of construction by defining the address, geographical coordinates or the local conditions. The application determines the characteristic load or the acceleration at this location by using the exact height above sea level and the given zone data. If the new place of construction cannot be identified by a specific address, it is possible to zoom in and to shift the focus to the correct location. With the displacement of the marker, the calculation is adapted to the new altitude and displays the correct loads.

The online service is available on the Dlubal website at Solutions → Online Services.

By defining the parameters...

2. Standard = EN 1991-1-3
3. Annex = Germany | DIN EN 1991-1-3
4. address = Zellweg 2, Tiefenbach

...the following results are obtained for the selected location:

7. The characteristic value of snow load ${\mathrm s}_\mathrm k$

If you select a location in the North German Plain, the online service displays at point 6. the note "North German Plain". Then the calculated load has to be considered as exceptional snow action in the exceptional design situation.

#### Shape Coefficient of Selected Roofs

Snow can occur on the roof in many different load distributions [1] . Amongst others, the snow load depends on the shape of the roof, the insulating properties, the surface roughness, the heat build-up under the roof, the neighboring buildings, the surrounding area and, of course, the local climate. Hence, it is essential that a non-drifted and drifted distribution of the snow load is considered during the design. The snow load to be applied acts perpendicular and refers to the horizontal projection of the roof surface.

The shape coefficient ${\ mathrm \ mu} _ \ mathrm i$ basically depends on the inclination $\ mathrm \ alpha$ of the considered roof surface.

 Shape coefficient Roof inclination in $\mathrm\alpha$ $0^\circ\;\leq\;\mathrm\alpha\;\leq\;30^\circ$ $30^\circ\;\leq\;\mathrm\alpha\;\leq\;60^\circ$ $\mathrm\alpha\;>\;60^\circ$ ${\mathrm\mu}_1\left(\mathrm\alpha\right)$ 0.8 $\frac{0.8\;\cdot\;\left(60^\circ\;-\;\mathrm\alpha\right)}{30^\circ}$ The shape coefficients apply if the snow can slide off the roof unobstructedly. If sliding off is obstructed, for example, by a snow guard, attic, etc., the shape coefficient 0.8 has to be applied.

A uniformly distributed load has to be applied with and without drift for flat and monopitch roofs.

Three load arrangements have to be analyzed for duopitch roofs. Case a) shows the distribution without wind effects. Cases b) and c) show the distribution with influences from drift and melting. These two additional distributions are often governing for structures that are sensitive to unevenly distributed loads.

#### Reference

 [1] Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1‑3: General actions - Snow actions; EN 1991‑1‑3:2003 + AC:2009 [2] National Annex - Nationally determined parameters - Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1‑3: General actions - Snow actions; EN 1991‑1‑3/NA:2010‑12 [3] Albert, A.: Schneider - Bautabellen für Ingenieure mit Berechnungshinweisen und Beispielen, 23. Auflage. Köln: Bundesanzeiger, 2018 [4] Wichura, B.; Hoffmann, K.: Flächenhafte Analyse von Schneelastmesswerten in fünf Landkreisen und ihr Vergleich mit den Schneelastzonendaten der DIN 1055-5:2005 als Pilotuntersuchung für die Überarbeitung der Schneelastzonenkarte. Stuttgart: Fraunhofer IRB, 2017 [5] Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik: Zuordnung der Schneelastzonen nach Verwaltungsgrenzen. Berlin: Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik, 2018