ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF SNOW LOADS ON THE SURFACE OF THE CUBE AND THE FORMATION OF SNOW DRIFT AROUND THE CUBE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36773/1818-1112-2026-140-2-35-45Keywords:
snow load, distribution, simulation, hydrodynamicsAbstract
This article examines the modeling of snow loads on buildings and structures, as well as the analysis of snow transport by air currents. It examines the mechanisms of snow load formation and the factors influencing its magnitude and distribution, including precipitation amount, building roof shape, snow transport by air masses (which can significantly alter the location and amount of snow on various surfaces), and roof thermal performance. Field observations of snow distribution, conducted at pre-selected sites, are presented. The features of the selected site, located in flat terrain, are described, taking into account the specific climatic conditions and wind patterns. The technical parameters of the weighing rig, including the use of sensors and an automated data recording system, are presented. The methodology for conducting field measurements is described in detail, including automatic data collection on snow water content, temperature, and wind speed. The results of the field studies demonstrate detailed changes in snow cover during the winter. Preparing accurate initial data is a crucial step, laying the foundation for successful numerical analysis. Errors or inaccuracies can lead to distortions and incorrect predictions in simulated scenarios. Using data obtained from a weighing system and sensors measuring wind speed and direction, a numerical simulation of snow distribution on the surface of a snow cube and the formation of snow drifts around the cube on the ground surface was performed. This article compares the results of field observations of the cube with those obtained through mathematical modeling based on the method proposed by M. Naaim. The relevance of this topic stems from the need to more accurately determine snow loads, which contributes to improving the reliability of building structures and infrastructure.
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