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The Snow Load dialog gives the user the ability to apply snow loads to segments of the model. When snow is applied, AutoPIPE creates a load in direction of gravity (simulating the real effects of snow in direct contact on a pipe), and can be defined through one of three methods.
Weight/Length
Weight/Area
Density
On the Snow Load dialog screen, how exactly is the snow load calculated for weight / Length = 0.5 lbs/in for both a 2 inch dia pipe and 12 inch dia pipe on a 1 ft length of pipe.
Answer:
The answers would be identical because the pipe diameters are not considered. In this example, the user is entering the weight of snow per length of pipe that already considers pipe diameter or another words:
Weight for the 1 foot length of 2 inch pipe:
(0.5 lbs / inch) * (12 inch) = 6 lbs of snow
Weight for the 1 foot length of 12 inch pipe:
Note:
1. AutoPIPE currently only consider the horizontal component of projected pipe area for snow loading. Another words, as the vertical angle increases only the horizontal length component of the angle will be used to calculate the snow load. For piping on the vertical axis, the program will automatically remove snow load that has been applied.
2. For dialog options Method = "Weight / Area" or "Density", the projected area is used in calculating the snow load; horizontal length component of the angle multiplied by the pipe's outer diameter.
3. Snow loads, like wind loads, are not currently applied to beams. This is has been logged as an enhancement for a future version.
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