This paper reviews the development of snow load research since the contemporary introduction and calibration of the ANSI A58-1982 provisions (and subsequent ASCE 7-88). The ASCE 77-88 ground snow loads were based on the data and methods available at the time and subsequently updated in 1995. The provided loads are based on 50-year mean recurrence intervals, with design loads for each category being obtained through a combination of partial safety and importance factors. Changes and improvements in snow load design over the last 40 year necessitate a reconsideration of the original calibration of these safety and importance factors. This paper discusses the need for a movement away from a uniform-hazard snow load design approach in combination with uniform load and importance factors, in favor of reliability-targeted design snow loads. This paper reviews the concept of reliability targeted loads as a means of meeting the ASCE 7 goal of uniform risk/reliability in the US. This paper further describes the incremental changes in both reliability and snow load research that will culminate in a change from uniform hazard (i.e. 50-year) loads to uniform-reliability loads. The purpose of this paper is to describe the motivation for, and historical context of E 7, the forthcoming changes to design ground snow loads in ASCE 7-22. Furthermore, the paper discusses the future of snow load prediction and its impact on the engineer and the code, particularly in regards to the implications of climate change for future snow load design.

Insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (ICSWPs) are gaining popularity as energy regulations become stricter worldwide. ICSWPs are now being constructed with thinner wythes and thicker insulation to keep up with the changing market, which is reducing material costs and increasing thermal and structural efficiency. However, there is a need for adequate experimental testing to validate the current design methods for these new panels. This research aims to provide that validation by comparing the predictions of four different methods with experimental data obtained from six large-scale panels. The study found that while current design methods adequately predict the behavior of thin wythe and thick insulation ICSWPs within the elastic region, they do not accurately predict their ultimate capacity.

Concrete sandwich wall panels (CSWPs) have been constructed since the early 1900s using various wythe connectors, panel geometries, and construction methods to create a structurally and thermally efficient system. Initially, thermal bridging hindered thermal efficiency due to the concrete connections and steel bars used to transfer interface forces between the concrete wythes. This issue was mitigated with the advent of polymer connectors, now widely used in the precast and tilt-up industries. As a result, CSWPs now offer buildings an efficient envelope, aiding in energy savings and reducing the need for additional construction materials and therefore contributing to the construction industry’s sustainability goals. This paper examines the current state of the practice in CSWP construction, focusing on CSWP’s construction methods, sustainability, material selection, and design processes. This manuscript delves into the history of CSWPs and showcases projects ranging from housing to industrial applications. Moreover, the materials and hardware popularly used in their construction are reviewed from the practicing engineer and researcher’s point of view and other aspects, such as environmental, architectural, and structural design, are presented. The most popular construction methods and approaches when precasting these panels on- or off-site and their associated challenges are also presented. Lastly, current deficiencies in CSWP design and construction are outlined and future directions for research and practice are suggested to advance this field further.