Title
Snow Infiltration Tests and Pressure and Flow Rate Measurements on Ridge Vent Configurations
Publisher
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
Abstract
The present study addresses the performance of roof ridge vents in regard to
the possible entry of snow into the attic space under strong wind conditions. A total
of 11 vent configurations made available by Air Vent Inc. were tested for snow
infiltration. Additionally, attic pressures and flow rates were measured for 13 ridge
vent arrangements, including the 11 tested for snow infiltration.
For reasons of expense, time, and ease of execution, wind tunnel models of
snow blowing and drifting have been used for many years in design and in specific
problem solutions. A fairly large number of modelling materials have been
employed, e.g. sawdust, mica, gypsum, peat, sand, borax, magnesium carbonate, glass
beads, activated clay, expanded polysterene, wheat bran, and semolina. (A recent
study of snow loads on the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis was carried
out for example using glass beads with a diameter of 0.1 mm, at a scale of 1:384.)
In the present study, however, to simulate field conditions as closely as possible,
actual natural dry snow was used. The tests were conducted during winter months
using the open circuit mode of operation of the St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic
Laboratory.
The results of the study offer a comparison of the effectiveness of various
ridge vent designs, valid of course under the conditions under which the tests were
carried out, as described in detail in this report. The tests have been carried out to
date at a wind approach angle of 0 degrees (wind direction perpendicular to the roof
ridge ). The model has been constructed in three pieces (a central piece and two
angle pieces) so that, by omitting the two angle pieces, it can be fitted in the tunnel
in a rotated 45 degree position for additional testing with 45 degree approach winds.
This testing, originally planned for the winter of 1995, had to be postponed until next
winter due to the surprisingly mild 1995 winter weather conditions in Minneapolis.
Suggested Citation
Farell, C.; Iyengar, A. K. S.; Sitheeq, M. M..
(1995).
Snow Infiltration Tests and Pressure and Flow Rate Measurements on Ridge Vent Configurations.
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory.
Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy,
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/109303.