Numerical Simulation Method About Snowdrift on Roofs With Consideration of Repose Angle of Snow

Abstract:

Based on the mechanism of snowdrift and the characteristics of snow redistribution on roofs, a numerical simulation method about snowdrift on roofs was proposed with consideration of repose angle of snow. Then, the snow redistribution on a flat roof was simulated by the method. The effect of repose angle of snow on the characteristics of flow field around flat roof was also analyzed. Finally, the numerical results of snow redistribution were compared with those from wind tunnel tests. It is shown that simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data.

Key words:snowdrift; redistribution of snow; numerical simulation; repose angle of snow; flat roof