Roof snow load case studies gathered throughout the United States over a three-year period are analyzed. The objective of the analysis is to determine a relationship between the snow load on the ground and the corresponding uniform snow load on flat and sloped roofs. The main parameters considered are the thermal characteristics of the roof, the roof slope and the exposure of the structure. Exposure has the strongest effect on the ratio of ground to roof snow loads. Comparisons are made with existing and proposed building codes and standards. (Author).

Roof snow load case studies gathered throughout the United States over a three-year period are analyzed. The objective of the analysis is to determine a relationship between the snow load on the ground and the corresponding uniform snow load on flat and sloped roofs. The main parameters considered are the thermal characteristics of the roof, the roof slope and the exposure of the structure. Exposure has the strongest effect on the ratio of ground to roof snow loads. Comparisons are made with existing and proposed building codes and standards. (Author).

The objective of the conference was to provide a forum for engineers, architects and scientists to discuss a broad range of research and design methods for various problems related to snow engineering. Specialists in building and civil engineering, environmental engineering, energy engineering, urban planning, and regional development as well as snow scientists were brought together for the conference. The technical sessions were in five thematic areas as follows: Snow technology and science; Building and construction engineering; Infrastructure and transportation; Housing and residential planning; Development strategy in snow countries. The 115 papers provide keys to realize more comfortable living conditions in snow countries and to overcome many problems in heavy snow regions.

This volume presents the background to the recently developed European standard (CEN standard) on snow loads. Many of the papers on ""structural engineering"" describe results from a European snow project that was completed in 1999.