I.

Design Practice and Load Application Metal Building Systems Manual

Example 1.3.5.14(c)

This example demonstrates the calculation of drift snow loads including

unbalanced snow load for multiple gable roof and canopy snow load.

Bldg. 1 Bldg. 3
12
2
Bldg. 4
F
E
30'
C2
30'
12' B C1
A
10'
25' 125'

50' D
30'
25'
175'
20' Bldg. 2
100'
10'
15'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-1
Building Geometry and Drift Locations

A. Given:
Building Use: Manufacturing (Standard Building)
Location: Rock County, Minnesota
Building Size: (1) 100 W x 300 L x 30 H
(2) 100 W x 175 L x 20 H
(3) 100 W x 125 L x 30 H
(4) 50 W x 30 L x 12 H (Flat Roof)
Roof Slope: 2:12 ( = 9.46 ) (Buildings 1, 2 and 3)
Frame Type: Clear Span
Roof Type: Sheltered, Heated, Smooth Surface, Unventilated, Roof Insulation
(R-19)
Terrain Category: B

B. General:
Ground Snow Load, pg = 40 psf [Figure 7-1, ASCE 7-05]
Importance Factor, Is = 1.0 [Table 7-4, ASCE 7-05 or Table 1.3.1(a) in
this Manual, Standard Building]
Roof Thermal Factor, Ct = 1.0 [Table 7-3, ASCE 7-05, Warm Roof]
Roof Slope Factor, Cs = 1.0 [Figure 7-2(a), ASCE 7-05 or Section
1.3.5.5a(ii) in this Manual]
Note that some roof slopes are unobstructed,
but some are obstructed because an adjoining

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building prevents snow from sliding off of the

eave. However, since insulation is R-19, the
solid line of Figure 7-2(a) governs for all roof
slopes.
Roof Exposure Factor, Ce = 1.2 [Table 7-2, ASCE 7-05 for Terrain Category
B and sheltered roof]

Snow density = 0.13 (40) + 14 = 19.2 pcf (Eq. 7-3, ASCE 7-05)

Rain on Snow Surcharge: pg > 20 psf, therefore, rain-on-snow surcharge load

need not be considered.

C. Roof Snow Load:

1.) Flat Roof Snow Load:
pf = 0.7 CeCtIspg [Eq. 7-1, ASCE 7-05]

pf = 0.7 (1.2)(1.0)(1.0)(40) = 33.6 psf

For pg = 40 psf
pf,min = Is (20) = 1.0(20) = 20 psf

pf = 33.6 psf controls

2.) Buildings No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3:

a.) Sloped Roof Snow Load:

ps = Cs pf [Eq. 7-2, ASCE 7-05]
= 1.0(33.6) = 33.6 psf (balanced load)

b.) Unbalanced Snow Load:

Since the roof slope (9.46 ) is greater than the larger of:
(70/W + 0.5) = (70/50 + 0.5) = 1.9 , and (1/2 on 12) = 2.38 ,
unbalanced loads must be considered.

hd 0.43 3 Ww 4 pg 10 1.5 0.43 3 50 4

40 10 1.5 2.71 ft.

Figure 1.3.5.8(c) is applicable for metal building framing and the

unbalanced snow loads are:
Uniform Windward Load: 0.3ps = 0.3(33.6) = 10.1 psf
Uniform Leeward Load: ps = 33.6 psf
Surcharge Leeward Load: h d / S = (2.71)(19.2)/ 6 = 21.2 psf
Surcharge Leeward Length: (8 / 3)h d S (8 / 3)(2.71) 6 17.7 ft

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The balanced and unbalanced design snow loads are shown in the figure
below.
17.7 ft

54.8 psf
21.2 psf
33.6 psf
10.1 psf 33.6 psf Unbalanced Snow Load

21.0 psf Balanced Snow Load

Ridge
Windward Leeward
Eave Eave

c.) Partial Loading:

Partial loading to be calculated as demonstrated in Examples 1.3.5.14(a)
and 1.3.5.14(b).

3.) Building No. 4 (50x30x12) (Flat roof):

Flat-roof snow load:

pf = 33.6 psf

Note: Although slope is less than W/50, still no rain-on-snow required since
pg > 20 psf (ASCE 7-05 Section 7.10).

D. Drift Loads and Sliding Snow Loads

Note: Unbalanced snow loads, drift loads and sliding snow loads are treated as
separate load cases and are not to be combined as per Section 1.3.5.12 of this Manual.

1.) Calculation for Area A:

a.) Drift Load - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-2

(25 50) 2
hr (Average) = 30 + -12 = 24.25 ft.
2 12
33.6
hb = = 1.75 ft.; hc = (hr hb ) = 22.5 ft.
19.2

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h c 22.5
= = 12.86 > 0.2 consider drift loads.
h b 1.75
LL (windward) = 30 ft.
hd (windward) = 0.75 [0.43 3 30 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 1.55 ft. hc = 22.5 ft.
Lu (leeward) = 300 ft.
hd (leeward) = [0.43 3 300 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 6.15 ft. hc = 22.5 ft.
Leeward drift controls with hd = 6.15 ft. and, w = 4hd = 24.6 ft.
Drift surcharge load, pd = hd = 6.15 19.2 = 118.1 psf
pt = 33.6 + 118.1 = 151.7 psf

hd hr (Average)

hb w
30'

Lower Roof 151.7 psf

33.6 psf
hr
24.6' (Average)
30'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-2
Drift Load for Area A

b.) Sliding Snow

No snow will slide off of the roof of Building No. 1 onto the roof of
Building No. 4.

2.) Calculation for Area B:

a.) Drift Load - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-3

Sloped-roof snow load, ps = 33.6 psf (balanced snow load)

33.6
hr = (30-20) = 10 ft.; hb = = 1.75 ft.; hc = (hr hb) = 8.25 ft.
19.2

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h c 8.25
= = 4.71 > 0.2 consider drift loads.
h b 1.75
LL (windward) = Lu (leeward) = 100 ft. leeward drift controls.
hd (leeward) = [0.43 3 100 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 3.81 ft. hc = 8.25 ft.
hd = 3.81 ft. and, w = 4hd = 15.24 ft.
Drift surcharge load, pd = hd = 3.81 19.2 = 73.2 psf
pt = 33.6 + 73.2 = 106.8 psf

hr hd

hb
w

106.8 psf Lower Roof

33.6 psf

15.2'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-3
Drift Load for Area B

b.) Sliding Snow - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-4

hc = hr hb = (10.0-1.75) = 8.25 ft. ; Lu = 50.0 ft. ; slope = 2:12

Since 2:12 > :12, sliding snow must be checked

Total sliding load/ft of eave = 0.4pfW = 0.4(33.6)(50) = 672 lb/ft

Sliding snow shall be distributed over 15 ft.

672
= 44.8 psf
15

44.8
Since = 2.3 ft < 8.25 ft, no reduction is allowed
19.2

pt = (33.6 + 44.8) = 78.4 psf

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hr hc

hb
w

78.4 psf Lower Roof

33.6 psf

15.0

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-4
Sliding Snow for Area B

3.) Calculation for Areas C1 and C2:

a.) Drift Load - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-5

Sloped-roof snow load, ps = 33.6 psf (balanced snow load)

Note: C1 is on unobstructed side and C2 is on obstructed side where snow

is prevented from sliding off eave. However, as previously indicated, CS
is equal to 1.0 for both sides for the roof insulation of R-19.
33.6
hr = (30-20) = 10 ft. ; hb = = 1.75 ft.; hc = (hr hb) = 8.25 ft.
19.2
h c 8.25
= = 4.71 > 0.2 consider drift loads.
h b 1.75
LL (windward) = 175 ft.
hd (windward) = 0.75 [0.43 3 175 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 3.68 ft. hc 8.25 ft.
Lu (leeward) = 125 ft.
hd (leeward) = [0.43 3 125 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 4.22 ft. hc 8.25 ft.
Leeward drift controls with hd = 4.22 ft. and, w = 4hd = 16.88 ft.
Drift surcharge load, pd = hd = 4.22 19.2 = 81.0 psf
pt = 33.6 + 81.0 = 114.6 psf

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hd hr

hb w
175'

Lower Roof 115 psf

33.6 psf

16.9'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-5
Drift Load for Areas C1 and C2

b.) Sliding Snow

No snow will slide off of the roof of Building No. 3 onto the roof of
Building No. 2.

4.) Calculation for Area D:

a.) Drift Load - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-6

Unheated structure due to canopy condition.

Flat-roof snow load, pf = 0.7 Ce Ct Is pg
where,
pg = 40 psf
Ce = 1.2 [Table 7-2, ASCE 7-05 for Terrain Category B and sheltered
roof]
Ct = 1.2 [Table 7-3, ASCE 7-05, Unheated Structure];
pf = 0.7 (1.2)(1.2)(1.0)(40) = 40.3 psf

40.3
hr = (20-15) = 5 ft. ; hb = = 2.10 ft.; hc = (hr hb) = 2.90 ft.
19.2
h c 2.90
= = 1.38 > 0.2 consider drift loads.
h b 2.10
LL (windward) = 10 ft. 25 ft. use LL (windward) = 25 ft.
hd (windward) = 0.75 [0.43 3 25 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 1.38 ft. hc 2.90 ft.
Lu (leeward) = 100 ft.
hd (leeward) = [0.43 3 100 4 40 10 -1.5]
= 3.81 ft. > hc = 2.90 ft.
Leeward drift controls with drift height = hc = 2.90 ft. and, w = 4hd 2/ hc

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4(3.81) 2
w= = 20.0 ft.
2.90
Maximum drift width, w = 8hc = 8 2.90 = 23.2 ft. > 20.0 ft.
w = 20.0 ft.
Drift surcharge load, pd = hc = 2.90 19.2 = 55.7 psf
pt = 40.3 + 55.7 = 96.0 psf

Canopy Lower than Eave Height 96.0 psf

Load on Canopy
68.2 psf

40.3 psf
5'

10'

20
10'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-6
Drift Load for Area D

Note: For the below eave canopy, the minimum design load per Section
7.4.5 of ASCE 7-05 is 2pf = 2(40.3) = 80.6 psf.

b.) Sliding Snow - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-7)

hc = hr - hb = (5.0 -2.10) = 2.90 ft. ; Lu = 50.0 ft. ; slope = 2:12

Since 2:12 > :12, sliding snow must be checked

Total sliding load/ft of eave = 0.4pfW = 0.4(33.6)(50) = 672 lb/ft

Sliding snow shall be distributed over 15 ft (Even though canopy width is

10 ft.).

672
= 44.8 psf
15

44.8
Since = 2.3 ft < 2.9 ft, no reduction is allowed
19.2

pt = (40.3 + 44.8) = 85.1 psf

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Load on Canopy

5' Canopy 85.1 psf

44.8 psf (Sliding snow load)
40.3 psf (Flat roof snow load)

10' 10'

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-7
Sliding Snow for Area D

5.) Calculation for Area E and Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-8:

For the intersection of drifts B and C2 at E, the design load should be as

shown in Figure 1.5.14(c)-8

115 psf
107 psf

1.75'

15.2'

16.9'

33.6 psf

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-8
Intersecting Snow Drifts for Area E

6.) Calculation for Area F:

a.) Valley Drift Load - Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-9

For buildings 1 & 3, pf = 33.6 psf

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pf 33.6
hb = = 1.75 ft.
19.2
Ce = 1.2 (Table 7-2 for Terrain Category B and sheltered roof)

The unbalanced snow load (See ASCE 7-05, Section 7.6.3):

At Ridge = 0.5 pf = 0.5 33.6 = 16.8 psf

At Valley = 2 pf / Ce = (2 33.6)/1.2 = 56.0 psf

Check if calculated snow depth in valley extends above snow level at

ridge:

56.0
Snow depth at valley, hdv = 2.92 ft.
19.2
50(2) 175.
Snow level at ridge relative to valley = + = 9.20 > 2.92 ft
12 2
The valley snow depth does not extend above ridges

Windward slope snow load = 0.3 pf = 0.3 33.6 = 10.1 psf

Leeward slope snow load = pf = 33.6 psf

0.5 pf 0.5 pf
2pf /Ce

hdv

56.0 psf
33.6 psf
16.8 psf 16.8 psf
10.1 psf

50 50'
Ridge Valley Ridge

Figure 1.3.5.14(c)-9
Valley Snow Drift for Area F

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