When building a residence next to a ski resort, snow load would obviously be an important factor. Another significant factor is the weight of the building materials. We were asked to determine the cause of cracking in a multi-family residential project. The cracks were first noticed after a major snowstorm. Distress was concentrated in areas around where an owner had cut out and modified portions of the structural framing and added very heavy architectural elements. The combination of heavier loading and weaker structure led to distress in other units in the complex after a heavy snowstorm, including wallboard cracking and sticking doors.
