University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date
Determining load on the frame Sheet No
16/02/2009
Reference Calculation 4

3 Determining loading on frame 

EN 1991-1-            3.1Combination factors ψ  
1:2002 (E) The combination ψ must be found from Eurocode 1 (EN1991-1) or relevant NAD.
Annex A 1 Note that because most portal frame designs are governed by gravity (dead + snow)
loading, so in this worked example only maximum vertical load combination is
See considered. Therefore, the combination factor ψ is never applied in this example,
Supporting but for full analysis the following load combination should be considered
Notes Sec 6.4
1) Maximum gravity loads without wind, causing maximum sagging moment in the
rafter and maximum hogging moments in the haunches.

2) Maximum wind loading with minimum gravity loads, causing maximum reversal
of moment compared with case 1. The worst wind case might be from either
transverse wind or longitudinal wind so both must be checked.

Figure 3‐ Frame spacing (SX016, Matthias Oppe)

Basic data :

• Total length: b = 72 m
• Spacing: s = 7.2 m
• Bay width: d = 30 m
• Height (max): h = 7.577m
• Roof slope: α = 6o
 University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date
Determining loading on the frame Sheet No
16/02/2009
Reference Calculation 5

3.2Snow loading  

General

EN 1991-1-3 Snow loading in the roof should be determined as follow

Sec 5.2.2
Eq.5.1 µ

Where:
µ is the roof shape coefficient
is the exposure coefficient usually taken as 1
is the thermal coefficient set to 1 for nominal situations
Is the characteristic value of ground snow load for
relevant altitude.

Roof shape coefficient

EN 1991-1-3
Sec 5.3 Shape coefficients are needed for an adjustment of the ground snow load to a snow
Table 5.1 load on the roof taking into account effects caused by non-drifted and drifted snow
loading.
See
Appendix A The roof shape coefficient depends on the roof angle so
Table A1
0 30 µ =0.8

Snow load on the ground

For the snow load on the ground; the characteristic value depends on the climatic region;
for site in the UK the following expression is relevant
EN 1991-1-3
Annex C Sk=0.140z-0.1+(A/501)
Where:
See Z is the( zone number /9 ) depending on the snow load on sea level
Appendix A here in Sheffield z=3
Table A2 A is the altitude above sea level A=175m
 University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date
Determining loading on the frame Sheet No
16/02/2009
Reference Calculation 6

Snow load on the roof

Sk = 0.8 x 1 x 1 0.67 = 0.54 KN/m2

Spacing = 7.2 m

For internal frame

UDL by snow = 0.54 x 7.2 = 3.89 m

 
Figure 4‐ Distributed load due to snow per meter span (SX016, Matthias Oppe)

3.3Self weight of steel members  

Self-weight Assume the following weight by members,

estimated
needed to be • Roofing = 0.2 KN/m2
checked at • Services = 0.2 KN/m2
the end • Rafter and column self weight = 0.25 KN/m2

Total self weight _____________

0.65 KN/m2
 University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

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Date
Appendix A Sheet No
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Reference Calculation 43

8Appendix

EN 1991-1-
A.1 Roof shape coefficient
3:2003 (E)
Section 5.3.2
The values given in table A1 apply when the snow is not prevented from sliding off the
roof. Where the snow fences or other obstruction exists or where the lower edge of
the roof is terminated with a parapet, then the snow load shape coefficient should not
be reduced below 0.8.

Table A1- Snow load shape coefficients (BS EN 1991-1-3:2003)

A.2 Snow load relationships 
EN 1991-1-
3:2003 (E) The snow load on ground; the characteristic value depends on the climatic region; the
Table C1 following table gives different expressions for different regions,

Table A2- Altitude-Snow load relationships (BS EN 1991-1-3:2003)

 University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

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Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
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Appendix A Sheet No
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Reference Calculation 44

Where:
Sk is the characteristic snow load on the ground (KN/m2)
A is the site altitude above the sea level (m)
Z is the zone number given on the map ( see fig A1 )

The following maps gives the zone number Z for UK and republic of Ireland if other Z
values for regions mentioned in Table A2 refer to EN 1991-1-3 Annex C pages ( 41 to 52 ).

EN 1991-1-
3:2003 (E)
Figure C.4

Figure A1 UK , Republic of Ireland : snow loads at sea level (BS EN 1991-1-3:2003)