HAWASSA UNIVERSITY,INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Staircase
Type, model and design
Mr. Surafel
4/7/2013

This document shows the types of stair for selection criteria and how to model and design.
 Staircase

Table of Contents
1. Stairs parts .................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Stairs types (Geometrical Configurations) .................................................................................................... 3
2.1. Staircases with straight flight ................................................................................................................ 3
2.2. Quarter Landing Stairs .......................................................................................................................... 4
2.3. Half Landing Stairs................................................................................................................................. 5
2.4. Winder Stairs......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.5. Double Winder Stairs ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.6. Open well stairs..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.7. Arched Stairs ......................................................................................................................................... 7
2.8. Spiral Stairs............................................................................................................................................ 8
2.9. Compact Stairs ...................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Structural Classification and detailing .......................................................................................................... 9
3.1. Stair Slab Spanning Transversely .......................................................................................................... 9
I. Slab cantilevered from a spandrel beam or wall .................................................................................. 9
II. Slab doubly cantilevered from a central spine beam. .......................................................................... 9
III. Slab supported between two stringer beams or walls. .................................................................. 10
3.2. Stair Slab Spanning Longitudinally ...................................................................................................... 10
4. Loads, Load Effect and Detailing on stair slab ............................................................................................ 12
4.1. Dead Loads .......................................................................................................................................... 12
4.2. Live Loads ............................................................................................................................................ 13
4.3. Load Effect and Detailing on stair slab................................................................................................ 13
4.3.1. Load Effects in Isolated Tread Slabs ............................................................................................ 13
Reference ............................................................................................................................................................ 14

1
 Staircase

1. Stairs parts
Stair consists of a flight of steps, usually with one or more intermediate landings (horizontal slab
platforms) provided between the floor levels. The horizontal top portion of a step (where the foot rests)
is termed tread and the vertical projection of the step (i.e., the vertical distance between two
neighboring steps) is called riser. Values of 300 mm and 150 mm are ideally assigned to the tread and
riser respectively, particularly in public buildings. However, lower values of tread (up to 250 mm)
combined with higher values of riser (up to 190 mm) are resorted to in residential and factory
buildings. The width of the stair is generally around 1.1 – 1.6m, and in any case, should normally not
be less than 850 mm; large stair widths are encountered in entrances to public buildings. The
horizontal projection (plan) of an inclined flight of steps, between the first and last risers, is termed
going. Generally, risers in a flight should not exceed about 12 in number. The steps in the flight can be
designed in a number of ways: with waist slab, with tread-riser arrangement (without waist slab) or
with isolated tread slabs as shown in Figure. The tread is sometimes projected outwards to provide
more space; this projection is termed nosing. Frequently, the nosing is provided in the finish over the
concrete tread.

2
 Staircase

2. Stairs types (Geometrical Configurations)

In this article let's discuss the existing types of staircases. The form of the staircase in plan determines its type.
According to their form the staircases can be with straight flights, with swinging flights, arched flights and spiral flights.

When choosing the type of the staircase the following aspects shall be taken into account:

 Designation of the staircase (front or supporting),

 intensity of usage,
 The form of the place allocated for staircase construction.

It should be remembered that the area occupied by the staircase is excluded from the usable space of the house. Also
the form and location of the staircase have a direct impact on convenience and functional usage of the staircase.

That is why you shall studiedly approach the choice. It should also be mentioned that compatibility of the staircase is
achieved at the expense of convenience and safety.

2.1. Staircases with straight flight

The group of staircases with straight flights is, perhaps, the most widespread. The presence of straight flights, treads
located straight across the trajectory, landings makes them convenient, functional and straight. This group includes
Straight stairs, Quarter Landing Stairs, and also Half Landing Stairs.

According to general rules the amount of treads in one straight flight shall not exceed 16. Despite their simple forms
pertinent components may communicate a unique style to the staircase. You may read more detailed how to choose
components for a staircase in Stairs Design section.

The most simple in terms of design, manufacture and installation is the staircase with straight flight.

Despite its simplicity, it is convenient and functional. It is easy to go up and down it, as also to carry things on the next
floor. But the presence of one long flight makes this type of staircases limited in height. As you already know, the
amount of treads in one straight flight shall not exceed 16. The usage of staircases with straight flight is feasible only in
those cases when we need to join two levels connected by imaginary straight line.

Fig. Straight stairs

3
 Staircase
If two flights of stairs going in one direction are supplemented by a landing, the minimum depth of the landing shall
amount to the sum of the step length and the depth of one tread in plan. If depth of the landing shall be more than the
value received, the increase shall be a multiple of the minimal depth value. The landing divides the staircase into two,
thereby reducing quantity of treads in one flight, and makes walking more comfortable. But the usage of staircases with
straight flights and intermediate landing is limited in view of inefficient usage of space needed for the stair flight
construction.

Fig. Straight stairs with intermediate landing

2.2. Quarter Landing Stairs

Quarter Landing Stairs represent a variety of straight stairs, which also include a landing. But here the landing is needed
to change a direction of the flight by 90 degrees and at the same time it serves as a place for rest when moving. The
landing may change its position in the flight from its beginning and up to its end. Staircases of this type are more
convenient and safe than straight staircases. Due to the presence of the landing the flight is divided into two, thereby
reducing quantity of treads in one flight, and makes walking more comfortable.

You shall pay particular attention to the shape of landing. As you already know from the section How to build stairs, the
depth of landing shall be longer by half of the tread width in each direction, or by the whole tread width in one
direction. Staircases of this type enable rationale use of the space needed for the stair flight construction.

Fig. Quarter Landing Stairs

4
 Staircase

2.3. Half Landing Stairs

Half Landing Stairs are also a variety of staircases with straight flights. Just like Quarter Landing Stairs they also have a
landing, but here it changes a direction of the flight by 180 degrees already and also serves as a place for rest when
moving. The landing divides the staircase into two, thereby reducing quantity of treads in one flight, and makes walking
more comfortable.

Staircases of this type are very convenient, functional, and safe.

Pay attention to the shape of the landing. Just like for Quarter Landing Stairs, the depth of landing shall be longer by half
of the tread width in each direction, or by the whole tread width in one direction.

Fig. Half Landing Stairs

2.4. Winder Stairs

Winder Stairs are the stairs with a turn by 90 and 180 degrees, but in contradistinction to Quarter Landing Stairs and
Half Landing Stairs on turn the wedge-shaped treads are used for their construction. It is no need to construct an
intermediate landing, and also to reduce the space occupied by the staircase. In terms of design, staircases of this type
possess soft and flowing lines, which underline their beauty, of course. And such staircase looks evidently intriguing, as if
inviting to go up the radial stairs. However, staircases of such type satisfy safety requirements. The treads on turn being
located not straight across the trajectory and tapering at one side build a zone inconvenient for walking. But if you
design it all correctly, you can minimize the discomforts In view of absence of an intermediate landing the amount of
treads according to general rules is limited to 16. Staircases of this type are complicated in designing and require
accurate calculations. You can read about Winder Stairs calculation in more detail in the section How to calculate stairs.

5
 Staircase

2.4.1. Single Winder Stairs

Single Winder Stairs are stairs with a turn by 90 degrees. Winder treads may change their position in the flight from its
beginning and up to its end. However, it is worth mentioning that the staircases with winder treads located at the
beginning of the flight are more convenient than those with winder treads located at the end of the flight. This is
because of winder treads located at the beginning of the flight are well within view from below, and it is handier to
maneuver with things when you carry them onto the next floor.

Fig. Single Winder Stairs

2.5. Double Winder Stairs

Double Winder Stairs are stairs with a turn by 180 degrees. They are more compact than Single Winder Stairs. In this
type of staircases we can distinguish two varieties: smoother passage of winder treads from turn to turn, and more
abrupt passage. Stairs with smoother passage are more convenient but they occupy more space.

Fig. Double Winder Stairs

6
 Staircase

2.6.Open well stairs

Fig. Open Wall Stairs

2.7. Arched Stairs

Arched Stairs are the stairs with a flight resembling an arch in its shape. The treads in such stairs are wedge-shaped as
well, but tapering at one side is not very vital as that at Winder Stairs. They are elegant and graceful in appearance, and
with pertinent components the staircase looks very effective. They are very difficult-to-make because all basic details,
closed strings and (or) open strings, as well as handrails are curved.

Fig. Arched Stairs

7
 Staircase

2.8. Spiral Stairs

Stairs of this type have stair flight resembling a circle or a part of it in its shape. Here just like in Winder Stairs and
Arched Stairs the treads are wedge-shaped, but all of them (except for the last one) are uniform-sized. Spiral stairs have
a central vertical post constituting the backup abutment for all treads in the flight. Due to their spiral shape such
staircases look very effective. Such staircases are not convenient for frequent use in view of fast climbing up on a
confined area.

Fig. Spiral Stairs

2.9. Compact Stairs

These are stairs occupying minimum space in the house. Quite often they are called "goose-step" or "sambo" stairs
because of the distinctive shape of their treads. You shall start going up or down them only with the "proper" foot;
otherwise you may end up by falling down. When designing Compact Stairs it should be taken into account that as a rule
most people start moving with the right foot. That is why the quantity of treads in the flight shall be such as to start
going up or down with the right foot. They are extremely inconvenient and not ergonomic consequently the usage of
such stairs shall be limited. They can only be installed in utility rooms where there is particularly little movement.

Fig. Compact Stairs

8
 Staircase

3. Structural Classification and detailing

Structurally, staircases may be classified largely into two categories, depending on the predominant direction
in which the slab component of the stair undergoes flexure:

1. Stair slab spanning transversely (stair widthwise);

2. Stair slab spanning longitudinally (along the incline).

3.1. Stair Slab Spanning Transversely

This category generally includes:

I. Slab cantilevered from a spandrel beam or wall

The slab component of the stair (whether comprising an isolated tread slab, a tread-riser unit or a
waist slab) is supported on its side(s) or cantilevers laterally from a central support. The slab supports
gravity loads by bending essentially in a transverse vertical plane, with the span along the width of
the stair.

Figure:-slab cantilevered from a spandrel beam or wall

II. Slab doubly cantilevered from a central spine beam.

The spandrel beam is subjected to torsion (‘equilibrium torsion’), in addition to flexure and shear.

Figure:-slab doubly cantilevered from a central spine beam

9
 Staircase

III. Slab supported between two stringer beams or walls.

When the slab is supported at the two sides by means of ‘stringer beams’ or masonry walls , it may
be designed as simply supported, but reinforcement at the top should be provided near the supports
to resist the ‘negative’ moments that may arise on account of possible partial fixity.

Figure: - Slab supported between two stringer beam and walls

3.2. Stair Slab Spanning Longitudinally

In this case, the supports to the stair slab are provided parallel to the riser at two or more locations, causing
the slab to bend longitudinally between the supports. The slab thickness depends on the ‘effective span’,
which should be taken as the center-to-center distance between the beam/wall supports. In order to reduce
slab thickness, we provide additional intermediate supports as shown in Figure below this will induce
‘negative’ moments near the supports, requiring steel at the top in these regions.

Figure:- Simply supported arrangement

10
 Staircase

Figure:- Alternative support arrangement

In certain situations, beam or wall supports may not be available parallel to the riser at the landing. Instead,
the flight is supported between the landings, which span transversely, parallel to the risers, as shown in
Figure. In such cases, the Code (Cl. 33.1b) specifies that the effective span for the flight (spanning
longitudinally) should be taken as the going of the stairs plus at each end either half the width of the landing
or one meter, whichever is smaller.

Figure: - Transversely spanning landing

11
 Staircase

Another case frequently encountered in residential and office buildings is that of the landings supported on
three sides, as shown in Figure. Recent studies (based on experiments as well as finite element analysis)
reveal that the flight essentially spans between the landing-going junctions, with hogging moments
developing at these junction. Its recommended that an economical and conservative design can be achieved
by design for positive moment of wl2/8 for the going (at midspan) and a ‘negative’ moment of wl 2/8 at the
junction of landing and the going. Here, w is the distributed gravity load acting on the going and l is the length
of the going (projected on a horizontal plane).

Figure: - Landings supported on three edges

4. Loads, Load Effect and Detailing on stair slab

Stair slabs are usually designed to resist gravity load, comprising dead loads and live loads. In the case of
cantilevered tread slabs, the effects of seismic loads should also be investigated. The vertical vibrations
induced by earthquakes may induce flexural stresses of considerable magnitude. It is desirable to provide
bottom steel in the cantilever slabs (near the support locations) to counter the possibility of reversal of
stresses.

4.1. Dead Loads

The components of the dead load to be considered comprise:

 Self-weight of stair slab (tread/tread-riser slab/waist slab);

 Self-weight of step (in case of ‘waist slab’ type stairs);
 Self-weight of tread finish (usually 0.5 – 1.0 kN/m2)

The unit weight of reinforced concrete for the slab and step may be taken as 25kN/m3 as specified in the
Code EBCS-1(Ethiopian Building Code of Standard 1).

12
 Staircase

4.2. Live Loads

Live loads are generally assumed to act as uniformly distributed loads on the horizontal projection of the
flight, i.e., on the ‘going’. The Loading Code [IS 875 : 1987 (Part II)] recommends a uniformly distributed load
of 5.0 kN/m2 in general, on the going, as well as the landing. However, in buildings (such as residences) where
the specified floor live loads do not exceed 2.0 kN/m2, and the staircases are not liable to be overcrowded,
the Loading Code recommends a lower live load of 3.0 kN/m2. EBCS-1 gives 3KN/m2 as general on going and
landing.

Further, in the case of structurally independent cantilever steps, the Loading Code requires the tread slab to
be capable of safely resisting a concentrated live load of 1.3 kN applied to the free end of each cantilevered
tread.

It may be noted that the specified live loads are characteristic loads; these loads as well as the characteristic
dead loads should be multiplied by the appropriate load factors in order to provide the factored loads
required for ‘limit state design’.

4.3. Load Effect and Detailing on stair slab

4.3.1. Load Effects in Isolated Tread Slabs

13
 Staircase

Reference

 From http://popularstairs.com/basic-stair-building/stairs-types , on date 04/05/2013

14