摘要：Rainfalls greatly influence buildings not only by their amount, intensity and duration, but also by
their form. The roof is the most frequently affected housing element, although the walls and the basement may
also be seriously damaged. Out of all precipitation forms usually falling in mid-latitude regions with temperate
climate, snowfall is the most important factor of influence. That is why, in roof designs, both mean and
maximum snowfall amounts being recorded in a specific area must be taken into consideration, because
supporting elements (namely the resistance of the roof structure) depend on the snow-charge (the snow
amount distributed over an area unit). According to most convened upon standards, the snow-charge may be
assessed by firstly evaluating the horizontal, homogenously-thick snow-layer load of the ground, that later
being adjusted by snow-drift and piling-up factors, may ultimately express the roof-load. Rainfalls may also
damage the walls of the buildings because water easily penetrates and enlarges crackings by repeatedly
freezing and de-freezing processes. In Romania, there are four major regions in which traditional architecture
adopted, in reaction to rainfall restrictions and requirements, specific roof shapes and types: the Carpathian
region, the region inside the great Carpathain arc, the region outside the great Carpathian arc and Dobrudja.
关键词：snow-charge, roof load, building resistance, architectural types, Romania.
