A GIS-Assisted Python Toolchain for Location-Based Environmental Parameter Retrieval and Load Computation Based on Romanian Codes

Structural engineering design in Romania relies on location-dependent environmental parameters and zonation maps for snow, wind, seismicity, and frost depth. Manual reading of zonation maps is time-consuming, error-prone near zone boundaries, and difficult to reproduce at scale. This paper presents a GIS-assisted Python toolchain that retrieves site parameters directly from georeferenced national layers and unified composite KML overlays, computes snow and wind actions for multiple roof typologies according to CR 1-1-3/2012 and CR 1-1-4/2012 and supplies seismic parameters (peak ground acceleration - ag and response spectra control period - T_C) per P100-1/2013 and frost depth per STAS 6054/77. The workflow integrates updated baseline maps from the CCERS collection, population density and tree cover density for the classification of the snow exposure and terrain conditions, while the frost-depth map is reconstructed in QGIS according to STAS. A second version of each map was created based on the MDLPA official seismic map creation approach for uniform administrative reporting. Two composite overlap maps were also produced to visually validate multi-factor assignments and support transparent, repeatable site characterization. Case studies across Romania demonstrate consistent parameter retrieval for both point coordinates and administrative level aggregation, enabling fast reporting and automated batch evaluations suitable for design offices and research pipelines.