Study of snow-load distribution on roof by wind tunnel test

In order to predict the snow-load distribution on a roof, wind tunnel tests were conducted with fine quartz-sand to simulate snow particles. The snow coefficients of several typical roofs were obtained through snowfall simulation and redistribution tests, and were compared with the load design of building structures. The results show that, when the wind speed exceeds the threshold value, the efficient aerodynamic-rough-length increases as the wind speed increases; the snow coefficients of the stepped roof obtained in the tests are within the load specifications; for the single-span gable roof, the snow coefficients of the windward roof may exceed the load specifications, particularly for the 20° roof, while the 10° roof snow coefficients decrease with time and finally fall into the range of load specifications; for the double-span gable roof, in snowfall simulation tests, the largest coefficient lies on the first windward roof, the value of which is less than the load specifications, while in the simulation redistributions test, the largest coefficient lies on the first leeward roof, the value is approximately 1.5, larger than the load specifications.