HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTRUCTURAL LETTER - 22-00857 - 824 S 2315 W - Solar Panels.pdfDate: 8 November 2022
Big Dog Solar Energy
620 Pheasant Ridge Dr
Chubbuck, ID 83202
Ryan Satre Residence: 824 S 2315 W, Rexburg, ID 83440
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Conclusion
Page 1 of Ryan Satre letter
Structural Letter of Approval
Terra Engineering Consulting (TEC) has performed a structural load comparison for the existing
roof based on the existing and proposed load conditions, and determined that the structure can
support the additional weight of the proposed solar panel system. The attached calculations are
based off the assumptions that the existing structural components are in good condition and that
they meet industry standards. The design information and assumptions that the calculations are
based off are located in the attached References page. The contractor shall notify TEC of any
damage to the roof system encountered at the time of installation. The design of the solar panel’s
mounting hardware is to be provided by the manufacturer or installer. Structural observation or
construction inspections will not be performed by TEC or their representatives.
This engineering analysis was performed in accordance with ASCE 7-16 design method. In
general, this design method is a comparison of the roof loads before and after the solar panel
installation. The total load of the solar panels is assumed to not exceed 3 psf, and the typical 20
psf live load will not be present in the area of the panels, as defined per Section 1607.13.5.1 in
2018 IBC. The snow load in the area of the panels will be reduced due to the roof pitch and the
solar panel’s slippery surface, as justified in Section 7.4 in ASCE 7-16. Due to the reduction of
snow load the total roof loads and the stresses of the structural elements are decreased after the
solar panels are installed. The total combined gravity loads result in an increase of less than 5%
to the existing load, meeting Section 806.2 of 2018 IEBC, thus the structure still meets
standards. Regarding lateral loads, the wind load controls, and due to the low profile of the
panels (3” to 6”) as well as PV frame, wiring, conduit, and structural component below the
module causing restriction in airflow which allow it to be considered as “partially enclosed
structure”; thus the additional pressure on the structure is considered negligible.The addition of
total PV system weight result in an increase under 10% of the total roof weight, and meets the
seismic requirements in Section 502.5 of 2018 IEBC.
TEC concludes that the installation of solar panels on existing roof will not affect the structure,
and allows it to remain unaltered under the applicable design standards. These conclusions are
based on the attached calculations.
1863 GOLDENROD WAY / NORTH SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT 84045 / T (801)-616-6204
General Instructions
Best Regards,
Terra Engineering Consulting, PLLC
Ahmad Alshakargi, PE
Civil Engineer
Page 2 of Ryan Satre letter
The solar array mounting system shall be connected to every other truss/rafter (48" maximum
penetration spacing) in order to distribute the load evenly. The installer shall stagger the
connections into the roof framing to not overload any existing structural members. Installation
and waterproofing shall be performed within accepted industry standards.
11-8-2022
1863 GOLDENROD WAY / NORTH SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT 84045 / T (801)-616-6204
References Page 3 of Ryan Satre letter
Design Parameter
Load Combination: ASD
Risk Category: II
Ground Snow load: 50 psf
Roof Snow load: 35 psf
Design Wind Speed: 115 mph (3 sec gust) per ASCE 7-16
Seismic Design Category: C
Wind Exposure Category: C
Existing Roof Structure
Roof framing: 2x4 Pre-fab trusses at 24” O.C.
Roof material: Composite shingles
Roof slope: 24°
Roof type: Gable
Solar Panels
Weight: 3 psf
Code: 2018 International Building Code/ International Existing Building Code, ASCE 7-16, and
National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) 2015 Edition
Connections: (1) 5/16” Lag screw with 2.5” min. embedment into the framing at 48” O.C.
spaced along the rail
1863 GOLDENROD WAY / NORTH SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT 84045 / T (801)-616-6204
Date: 11/8/2022
Client: Ryan Satre
Subject: Gravity load
Gravity load calculations
Snow load (S)Existing w/ solar panels
Roof slope (°): 24 24
Ground snow load, pg (psf): 50 50 ASCE 7‐16, C7.2
Terrain category: C C ASCE 7‐16, table 7.3‐1
Exposure of roof: Fully exposed Fully exposed ASCE 7‐16, table 7.3‐1
Exposure factor, Ce: 0.9 0.9 ASCE 7‐16, table 7.3‐1
Thermal factor, Ct: 1.1 1.1 ASCE 7‐16, table 7.3‐2
Risk Category: II II ASCE 7‐16, table 1.5‐1
Importance Factor, Is: 1 1 ASCE 7‐16, table 1.5‐2
Flat roof snow load, pf (psf): 35.0 35.0 ASCE 7‐16, equation 7.3‐1
Minimum roof snow load, pm (psf): 0 0 ASCE 7‐16, equation 7.3‐4
Roof Surface type:Other
Unobstructed
slippery surface ASCE 7‐16, C7.4
Roof slope factor, Cs: 1 0.77 ASCE 7‐16, C7.4
Sloped roof snow load, ps [psf]: 35.0 27.0
Roof dead load (D)
Roof pitch/12 5.3
Composite shingles 3 psf 1/2" Gypsum clg. 2.2 psf
1/2" plywood 1 psf insulation 0.8 psf
Framing 3 psf M, E & Misc 1.5 psf
Roof DL without PV
arrays 12.6 psf
PV Array DL 3 psf
Roof live load (Lr)Existing w/ solar panels
Roof Live Load 20 0 2018 IBC, Section 1607.13.5.1
ASD Load combination:
Existing With PV array
D [psf] 12.6 15.6 ASCE 7‐16, Section 2.4.1
D+L [psf] 12.6 15.6 ASCE 7‐16, Section 2.4.1
D+[Lr or S or R] [psf] 47.6 42.6 ASCE 7‐16, Section 2.4.1
38.9 35.8 ASCE 7‐16, Section 2.4.1
Maximum gravity load [psf]:47.6 42.6
Ratio proposed load to existing load: 89.39%
The stresses due to gravity load in the area of the solar panels is reduced, allowing the
structure to remain unaltered.
ASCE 7‐16, equation 7.4‐1, Design
Snow Load (S)
D+0.75L+0.75[Lr or S or R] [psf]
Date: 11/8/2022
Client: Ryan Satre
Subject:
Wind Pressure Calculation
Basic wind speed (mph) 115
Risk category II
Exposure category C
Roof type Gable
Figure for GCp values ASCE 7‐16 Figure 30.3‐2A‐I
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
GCp (neg)‐0.9 ‐1.7 ‐2.6
GCp (pos) 0.5 0.5 0.5
zg (ft) 900 (ASCE 7‐16 Table 26.11‐1)
α 9.5 (ASCE 7‐16 Table 26.11‐1)
Kzt 1 (ASCE 7‐16 Equation 26.8‐1)
Kh 0.9 (ASCE 7‐6 Table 26.10‐1)
Kd 0.85 (ASCE 7‐16 Table 26.6‐1)
Velocity Pressure,qh (psf) 25.90 (ASCE 7‐16 Equation 26.10‐1)
Gcpi 0 (ASCE 7‐16 Table 26.13‐1) (0 for enclosed buildings)
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
W Pressure, (neg) [psf]‐23.31 ‐44.03 ‐67.34
W Pressure, (pos) [psf] 12.95 12.95 12.95
W Pressure, (Abs. max) [psf] 23.31 44.03 67.34
Connection Calculations
Capacity
Connection type: Lag screw Lag screw diameter: 5/16
Embedment (in): 2.5
Framing grade: SPF#2 G: 0.42
Capacity [lbs/in]: 205 (2015 NDS table 12.2A)
Number of screws: 1
Total capacity [lbs]: 512.50
Demand
Anchor spacing: 48 in
Anchor spacing in roof corners: 48 in
Zone
( 0.6 W
Pressure,
psf), see
Note 1
Max.
tributary
area (ft^2) Max Uplift force (lbs)
1 14.0 11 153.8
2 26.4 11 290.6
3 40.4 11 444.4
(only changes if structure located on
a hill or ridge)
Connection Meets Demand
Wind load and
Connection
Note 1: 0.6W results from dominant ASD combo [0.6D+ 0.6W] (ASCE 7‐16 2.4.1).