No abstract

Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Because of New Hampshire's hilly landscape, mapped values of ground snow load are not available for much of its area. We conducted snow load case studies to establish ground snow loads for a specific elevation in each of the 259 towns in the state. That work was done by three researchers and three structural engineers practicing in New Hampshire. While our methods of analysis varied somewhat, our results were comparable and the feedback we received from each other was quite valuable. We also established a statewide elevation adjustment factor to transfer our snow load answers to other elevations in each town. We suggest that similar studies be conducted for other places in the United States where mapped values are not available because of extreme local variations in ground snow loads.

The U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) has mapped ground snow loads for much of the United States. In some areas where extreme local variations preclude mapping on a national scale, instead of loads, "CS" is used to indicate that Case Studies are needed. This report and the accompanying spreadsheet, which contains the 15,104-station CRREL ground snow load database, provide the information needed to conduct Case Studies. When the latitude, longitude, and elevation of a site of interest are provided, the spreadsheet tabulates data available in the vicinity and generates plots that relate ground snow loads nearby to elevation. With this information, the ground snow load at the site of interest can be determined. This report uses 10 examples to illustrate the methodology and provides our answer and the comments we generate for each of these Case Studies and for 16 additional sites of interest, 8 of which have their answers "disguised" for practice purposes. CRREL has conducted over 1000 Case Studies upon request. Practicing structural engineers were involved in over 250 of them to verify that this methodology is ready to transfer to the design profession. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. The location data included herein has been obtained from information developed, produced, and maintained by others. The CRREL Case Study database and methodology used herein to determine ground snow loads meet the requirements of the current national design load standard, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 2017). Statutory requirements of an Authority Having Jurisdiction may necessitate use of different design loads.

No abstract