How does snow loading affect the structural stability of steel buildings?

The main ways in which snow loads affect the structural stability of steel buildings are as follows:

1. Uneven distribution: the distribution of snow on a steel building is often uneven. High winds may cause snow and water to accumulate several times over the average value on daughter walls and gable ends, and this uneven distribution can lead to uneven loading on the building structure. When the load exceeds the design value, it may lead to the instability of some members, which may trigger continuous damage to the structure and eventually affect the overall stability.

2. Influence of node stiffness: the assumption of rigidity of nodes in steel structure buildings, such as beam-beam and beam-column splicing points, may not be fully satisfied in the actual situation. When the precision deviation of fabrication or erection construction is exceeded, the rotational stiffness of the nodes may be affected, resulting in the nodes not being able to effectively transmit bending moments and redistribute the structural internal forces. This redistribution of internal forces may affect the stability of the structure.

3. Purlin deformation: in steel buildings, such as steel-framed plants, snow loads may cause purlin deformation. When purlins are destabilized, the tie bar and corner brace system may not be able to provide adequate support, which may also reduce the stability of the structure.

To ensure the stability of steel structure buildings under snow load, designers need to fully consider the distribution characteristics of snow load and carry out accurate calculations and design. At the same time, during the construction process, it is also necessary to ensure that the stiffness and precision of the nodes meet the design requirements, to avoid the structural stability problems caused by the construction deviation. In addition, regular inspection and maintenance of the steel structure building, and timely detection and treatment of possible structural problems are also important measures to ensure structural stability.