[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":124},["ShallowReactive",2],{"AwbOXuIGdkdFznGdEs7NTPei11FnQw-XKbUZRanmKO0":3,"article_solidworks-simulation-reporting-to-the-roof-for-snow-duty_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":122,"_apollo:identified":123},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","solidworks-simulation-reporting-to-the-roof-for-snow-duty","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":121},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":30,"content":31,"date":32,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":33,"masterings":46,"globalTags":50,"products":69,"disciplines":81,"seo":110,"__typename":120},"cG9zdDo1NDgyMA==","SolidWorks Simulation reporting to the roof for snow duty","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fsolidworks-simulation-reporting-to-the-roof-for-snow-duty","\u003Cp>This past weekend was all about snow and ice, or rather the…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":29},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":25,"thumbnail":26,"srcSet":27,"sizes":28},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-1024x575.jpg.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-768x431.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-150x150.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-1024x575.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-768x431.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c.jpg.webp 1313w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>This past weekend was all about snow and ice, or rather the removal of those two pesky forms of water.  The last two winter storms have dropped a significant amount of snow here in the Boston area. Now, I am new to the area, hailing from England, and to be honest I didn’t pay much attention to it until the radio started reporting roof collapses and my neighbors got up on their roofs and started shoveling snow.  So I did the same–I shoveled snow and removed ice. Although this was my first time doing this I had a sense of déjà vu. When had I done this before?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While taking a well earned rest (and having a nice cup of tea) it hit me. Ten years ago, during my first simulation class using COSMOS (which became \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsw\u002Fproducts\u002Ffea-cfd-simulation-sofware.htm\" target=\"_self\">SolidWorks Simulation\u003C\u002Fa>), I had done an analysis of snow on a corrugated iron roof!  With the roof cleared it was time to dig out my old notes. Being an engineer pack rat nothing is thrown away, and I was curious to see how much weight I had shifted off my roof. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to my notes, snow is roughly 1\u002F10th the density of water, at 100 kg per cubic meter (or 6.242 lbs per cubic ft). I cleared a good third of meter of snow off my roof, and with an area of about 150 square meters, that was a whooping 5,000 kg ( 5 .5 tons)!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>No wonder the pretty white stuff can bring down a building.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now I’m not an architect, but I wanted to see if SolidWorks could help me understand what’s going on. With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsw\u002Fproducts\u002Fcad-software-3d-design.htm\" target=\"_self\">SolidWorks\u003C\u002Fa> CAD I can quickly rough up a rough roof truss–about 400 sq meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54822\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8162970c-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>  \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After jumping across to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsw\u002Fproducts\u002Ffea-cfd-simulation-sofware.htm\" target=\"_self\">SolidWorks Simulation\u003C\u002Fa>, I can hold down the the roof where it would attach to the frame, apply gravity and my snow load, and see what happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e822e970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54823\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e822e970c-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e822e970c-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e822e970c-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Looking at the stress result I can see that I have a safety factor of 4, which is a ratio of the maximum stress in the roof to the materials strength. But to me that seems a bit low. To improve the safety factor, I’ll add more roof trusses.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757983970b-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54824\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757983970b-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757983970b-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757983970b-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Then I recalculate my answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8343970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54825\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8343970c-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8343970c-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e8343970c-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>My factor of safety is now 6, which makes me feel better, but looking at the roof deflections, I see that some of the trusses are deflecting over 100mm (4 inches). That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in a roof. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This looks better.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757a8c970b-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54826\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757a8c970b-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757a8c970b-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20147e2757a8c970b-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>So one last change–two trusses, a couple of longitudinal braces and a change of wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e842e970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54827\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e842e970c-800wi.jpg.webp 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e842e970c-800wi-300x168.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20148c87e842e970c-800wi-768x431.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Job done. Now, to clear my drive…\u003C\u002Fp>","2011-02-09T16:33:28",{"node":34,"__typename":45},{"nicename":35,"description":36,"slug":37,"name":38,"firstName":39,"lastName":40,"avatar":41,"__typename":44},"stephen-endersby","Product Manager at SolidWorks","stephen endersby","Stephen Endersby","Stephen","Endersby",{"url":42,"__typename":43},"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002Ff7140d3092f02b9af10dc23c0a19dcdadabbd2486b825b5ca0b713f489e6589f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":47,"edges":48,"__typename":49},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":51,"__typename":68},[52,58,63],{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55,"uri":56,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":59,"name":60,"slug":61,"uri":62,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjA3","Simulation","simulation","\u002Ftags\u002Fsimulation\u002F",{"id":64,"name":65,"slug":66,"uri":67,"__typename":57},"dGVybTo5NjAz","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":70,"nodes":78,"__typename":80},[71],{"isPrimary":72,"node":73,"__typename":77},false,{"id":74,"name":65,"slug":66,"uri":75,"__typename":76},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[79],{"id":74,"name":65,"slug":66,"uri":75,"__typename":76},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":82,"edges":103,"__typename":109},[83,95],{"id":84,"name":54,"slug":55,"uri":85,"parentId":86,"disciplines":87,"__typename":94},"dGVybTo2MA==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002F3d-cad\u002F","dGVybTo1OA==",{"nodes":88,"__typename":93},[89],{"title":54,"uri":90,"parentId":91,"__typename":92},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F3d-cad","cG9zdDozNzcz","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":96,"name":60,"slug":61,"uri":97,"parentId":98,"disciplines":99,"__typename":94},"dGVybTo4NQ==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation\u002F",null,{"nodes":100,"__typename":93},[101],{"title":60,"uri":102,"parentId":98,"__typename":92},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation",[104,107],{"isPrimary":72,"node":105,"__typename":106},{"parentId":86,"id":84,"name":54,"slug":55,"uri":85,"__typename":94},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":72,"node":108,"__typename":106},{"parentId":98,"id":96,"name":60,"slug":61,"uri":97,"__typename":94},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":111,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":112,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":113,"opengraphSiteName":114,"opengraphPublishedTime":115,"opengraphModifiedTime":116,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":117,"metaRobotsNoindex":118,"__typename":119},"SolidWorks Simulation reporting to the roof for snow duty - Blog Solidworks","This past weekend was all about snow and ice, or rather the…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fsolidworks-simulation-reporting-to-the-roof-for-snow-duty\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2011-02-09T21:33:28+00:00","2025-12-17T11:57:40+00:00",2,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1777013619955]