ABSTRACT
CONSIDERATION OF EXCEPTIONAL SNOW LOADS AS ACCIDENTAL ACTIONS Exceptional snow loads
G. KONIG and D. SOUKHOV Institute of Concrete Structures, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Abstract The investigation on German snow data show that for some German climatic stations (located in coastal regions of North Germany) the exceptional heavy snow falls can be identified. These snow loads can cause the essential damages of structures. Normally these exceptional values have a very large return period (1,000 or even 10,000 years) but can occur during relative short design working life of structure (50 or 100 years). According to ENV 1991-1 "Basis of Design" these exceptional snow falls can be considered as accidental actions. Based on German data statistical analysis is undertaken and procedure for codified design is considered. Keywords: Accidental actions, characteristic value, exceptional value, probability distribution, snow loads, statistical analysis.
