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Exceptional snowfalls and the assessment of accidental snow loads for structural design
Abstract Aiming at the assessment of accidental snow loads for the design of structures, a new approach to the analysis of exceptional snowfalls is suggested. The analysis incorporates both the attitudes of civil engineering and climatology on this natural phenomenon. Analysing the records of snow load annual maxima on the ground at measuring stations in Slovakia, the locations of occurrences of exceptional snow loads are identified. Then a climatological expertise is conducted resulting in the delimitation of three continuous lowland regions and a region of scattered mountain hollow-basins, in each of which similar climatological conditions for the occurrence of exceptional snowfalls can be expected. Within an individual region, an empirical probability distribution function based on annual snow load maxima at the observation stations is created, the upper tail of which is approximated by probability distribution functions of heavy and light tails. The accidental snow load on the ground corresponding to a mean return period of 10,000years is assessed by the best fitting distribution function.
Highlights ►New approach to the analysis of exceptional snowfalls for structural design. ►Interdisciplinary co-operation within the fields of civil engineering and climatology. ►Assessment of accidental snow loads on the ground to a mean return period of 10,000years.
Exceptional snowfalls and the assessment of accidental snow loads for structural design
Abstract Aiming at the assessment of accidental snow loads for the design of structures, a new approach to the analysis of exceptional snowfalls is suggested. The analysis incorporates both the attitudes of civil engineering and climatology on this natural phenomenon. Analysing the records of snow load annual maxima on the ground at measuring stations in Slovakia, the locations of occurrences of exceptional snow loads are identified. Then a climatological expertise is conducted resulting in the delimitation of three continuous lowland regions and a region of scattered mountain hollow-basins, in each of which similar climatological conditions for the occurrence of exceptional snowfalls can be expected. Within an individual region, an empirical probability distribution function based on annual snow load maxima at the observation stations is created, the upper tail of which is approximated by probability distribution functions of heavy and light tails. The accidental snow load on the ground corresponding to a mean return period of 10,000years is assessed by the best fitting distribution function.
Highlights ►New approach to the analysis of exceptional snowfalls for structural design. ►Interdisciplinary co-operation within the fields of civil engineering and climatology. ►Assessment of accidental snow loads on the ground to a mean return period of 10,000years.
Exceptional snowfalls and the assessment of accidental snow loads for structural design
Sadovský, Z. (author) / Faško, P. (author) / Mikulová, K. (author) / Pecho, J. (author)
Cold Regions, Science and Technology ; 72 ; 17-22
2011-12-14
6 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Exceptional snowfalls and the assessment of accidental snow loads for structural design
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