The City of Snoqualmie is faced with several challenges relating to the forces imposed on various parts of the city.
The valley floor for example has very poor soil bearing capability and in many areas liquifaction potential is moderate to high. As the elevation changes, the soil conditions generally improve; however, snow loads increase and often times wind exposure factors increase as well.
Design values for projects under the 2006 Internation Building Code (IBC) are as follows:
Soil Bearing: Valley Floor 700’ psf, above flood basin 2000 psf.
Ground Snow Load: 35 psf elevations up to 700’
45 psf elevations 701-800’
50 psf elevations 801-900’
55 psf elevations 901-1000’
Wind Speed: 85 mph, exposure B
Seismic Design Category D2
Frost Depth 18"