An expert in the field for the last 30 years, RWDI has a wide range of experience with snow drifting around buildings. From the Halley VI or New South Pole stations in Antarctica to the schools of the Canadian north, we have been involved in numerous projects. Snow is not limited to a design load on a building, in some regions it can affect usability. Through consultation, RWDI can work with you to reduce maintenance costs and operational issues. Some of these issues include snow drifting against doors and clerestory windows and snow infiltration into mechanical equipment. However, this kind of study is not limited to buildings, as RWDI has consulted on numerous highway systems in Canada.
From the proposal stage, RWDI will work with you to determine the optimal study type for your development. The potential study types for a snow drifting include the following:
Advising on City Planning
Consulting and advising on the layout and massing of subdivisions, based on the meteorology and topography of the site. Guidelines would include the orientation of buildings, potential massing shapes and road placement.
Snow Drifting Review
A basic study of the buildings geometry, site and surroundings, in combination with meteorological data for the area. Advice is given on potential issues and how to resolve them.
Enhanced Snow Drifting Review
A three-dimensional computer model of the site, surroundings and topography is created. Using the proprietary VirtualDrift, a numerical simulation is performed for multiple wind directions. While similar to the above snowdrift review, images of the potential drifting on and around a building or community of buildings can be provided. In addition, by using computer modeling, alterations to the massing of the building can be made easily, allowing for iterative design.
Snow Drifting Study
A physical scale model of the building and its surroundings is constructed and placed in the water flume. This analysis will examine up to four key wind directions, based on meteorological analysis. Photographs of the study model will be taken and included in the final report, in order to illustrate potential problems as well as positive design features. RWDI can then provide recommendations and further mitigative testing to evaluate snow control measures such as landscaping, canopies and walls.
Highway Study
This type of study assesses the snow drifting conditions associated with highways and other transportation corridors, allowing for the identification of potential snow drifting problems. This type of study can involve physical modeling in the water flume but experience would suggest that specific site conditions and operational and maintenance issues play a significant role. Through consulting, RWDI can develop potential solution concepts as needed, such as revised maintenance procedures, landscaping or snow fences. This kind of study typically involves a site visit and calculations for snow transport. In some cases, where expert testimony is required after an incident, RWDI has been consulted.
Litigation Support
Through decades of experience RWDI Microclimate Specialists have gained recognition as experts in the field of wind, snow and ice issues. We have written many papers and conducted numerous studies on the subject of snow. They have appeared as expert witnesses in litigation cases and mediation related to highway accidents, roof collapses and snow accumulation issues.
