Modeling of the Snowdrift in Cold Regions: Introduction and Evaluation of a New Approach

Abstract

Unbalanced, or non-uniform, snow loads caused by snow drifting or sliding in cold regions with heavy snowfalls, can be a serious problem for the building industry. However, the methods for predicting snow distribution still need to be improved. Field observation is the most direct and reliable method to study snow distribution, but because the natural environment is uncontrollable and varies dramatically, sometimes conclusions may be confused under the influence of the many variables in the investigation. This paper proposes a snowing experiment approach using an outdoor snow–wind combined experiment facility for the study of snow distribution. The facility can produce a stable and controllable wind field and snowfall environment. Experiments which focused on snowdrift around a building were conducted during the winter to make an evaluation of the repeatability and reliability of the new approach. Finally, from the analysis of results, it was demonstrated that the experimental facility was stable and that the similarity criterion adopted for the snowing pattern was reliable. Especially, the minimum value of the friction speed ratio was suggested to ensure the test accuracy.

Similarity conditions and cube model tests of snow drift and precipitation preferential deposition patterns

“…According to the results of previous tests [28][29], the snow deposition at the lee of the model might not be well reproduced. We see two potential reasons: a) the scaling efforts are incomplete or b) the directional changes in wind, that occur in the field, cannot be sufficiently reproduced in wind tunnel tests.…”

“…To simulate snow precipitation events by wind tunnel tests, a snowfall simulator is an indispensable part of the test facility. Whether particles are brought into the incoming flow by mechanical vibration [28][29][30] or pneumatic transport [31][32], the motion state of particles in the wind tunnel should be in accordance with the one measured in real outside conditions during snow precipitation. In detail, the similarity of snow particle motion is not only determined by a correct boundary layer wind profile simulation, but also dependent on some characteristic quantities of snow particle motions.…”

“…While saltation trajectories have similarities for snowfall and drifting snow situations, distinguishing particle flow states during snowfall and drifting situations deserves further investigation, in particular with respect to suspended snow. Liu [28][29] and Zhang [30] developed a method to reproduce snow precipitation by using a snowfall simulator that complemented an open-air snow-wind experimental facility. Wang [31,32] used two plastic pipes attached to the top surface of the wind tunnel to lead snow particle substitutions into the incoming flow to model snow precipitation.…”

Special Issue on “Buildings and Structures under Extreme Loads”

“…Finally, the last natural hazard analyzed in the Special Issue is snowdrift. Actually, the effects of snowdrift and snow loads in cold regions have been investigated by [10] and [11], with the proposal of a novel calculation approach and a case-study application, respectively.…”

Study on the Susceptibility of Drifting Snow in Ya’an–Qamdo Section of the Railway in Southwest China

“…However, in cases where snowfall occurred concurrently with drifting, uneroded regions could be observed on the roof. Liu et al [9] proposed equipment named "snow-wind combined experimental facility" to investigate snowdrifts around buildings and snow loads on building roofs; the experimental results prove the feasibility of this method, and the method can also be adopted on various shapes of building roofs. The wind tunnel tests using simulated material or moving snow into a low-temperature wind tunnel are not capable of accurately replicating the genuine properties and conditions of snow particles.…”