21

Design of Stair Cases

21.1. GENERAL NOTES ON DESIGN OF STAIRS
1. Live load on stairs
L.S. 875-1964
(Code of
the loads for staircases. practice for Structural Safety of Buildings)
give For stairs in residential buildings,
buildings, hospital wards, hostels, etc., where there is no
office
of
overcrowding, the live load may be taken to be possibility
to 3000 N/m', subject
a minimum of 1300 N concentrated load at the
end of each step for stairs constructed out of unsupported
cantilever step. For structurally
other public buildings liable to be independent
the live load may be taken to be 5000 N/m'.
overcrowded,
2. Effective span of stairs
Stair slab may be divided into two
the direction in which the stair slab
categories, depending upon
spans
) Stair slab spanning horizontally
(i) Stair slab spanning longitudinally.
() Stair slab spanning horizontaly. In this category, the slab
is supported on each side by side wall or
stringer beam on one
side and beam on the other side. Sometimes, as in the case of
straight
stair, the slab may also be supported on both the sides by the two
side walls. The slab may also be supported horizontally by side wall
on one side of each flight and the common newel on the other
side between the backward and forward flights. In such a case the
effective span L is the horizontal distance between centre-to-centre
of supports. Each step is designed as spanning horizontally with
L2
a bending moment equal to " Each step is considered equivalent
to a rectangular beam of width b (measured parallel to the slope
of the stair) and an efective depth equal to D as shown in Fig.

(837)
 838 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

21.1. Main reinforcement is provided in the direction of L, while

distribution reinforcement is provided parallel to the flight direction.
A waist of about 8 is
cm
provided.
(u)Stair slab spanning longitudinally. In this category, the
slab
is supported at bottom and top ofthe flight and remain unsupported
on the sides. Each flight of stairs is continuous, supported on beams
at top and bottom or on landings. The effective span of such stairs,
wIthout stringer beams, should be taken as the following horizontal
distances
a) where ansupported at top and bottom risers by beams spanning
parallel with the risers, the distance centre-to-centre of beam ;

NEXT STEP

DISTRIBUTION STEEL

-MAIN STEEL

STRINGER BEAM
NEWEL WALL
OR SIDE WALL

WAIwAIST SSLAB
LAB -

STRINGER BEAM
-T

SECTION AT X-Xx
MAISTEELN
FIG. 21.1. STAIR SLAB SPANNING
HORIZONTALLY.
(b) where spanning on the edge of a landing slab which
spans
parallel to the risers (Fig. 21.2), a distance equal to the going of
the stairs plus at each
ena either nall the width of the landing
or one metre, whichever is smaller; and
STAIR CASES
839

xY
(m)mn) SPAN L (m)

UP G G+x+
<
G y t
x+xt- G0ING (G) a G +I
+yy
FIG. 21.2
EFFECTIVE SPAN
FOR STAIRS
BY SUPPORTED AT EACH END
LANDINGS SPANNING PARALLEL
WITH THE RISERs.
(c) where the landing slab spans in the
stairs, they should be
same direction as the
slab and the
considered as acting together to form
span determined at the distance
a single
the supporting beams or centre-to-centre of
walls, the going being measured horizon-
tally.

W LOADING

(a) LOADING ON STAIRS wITH OPEN WALLS

1omm50 LTILITIIIIIIIIN
mm
75 - EFFECTIVE BREADTH-
(b LOADING ON STAIRS BUILTINTO WALLS
FIG. 21.3. DISTRIBUTION OF LOADING ON STAIRS
840 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

3. Distribution of
loading on stairs
n case of stairs with open walls, where spans partly crossing
t ignt angles occur, the load on areas common to any two such
Spans may be taken as onc-half in cach direction as shown in ig.
. a ) . Where lights or landings are built into walls at a dIstance
Of not less than 1 10 mm and are designed to span in the direction
ot the
light, a l50 mm strip may be deducted from the loaded
area and the
effective breadth of the section
increased 75 mm by
for the
purposes of design |Fig. 21.3(6)F
4. Estimation of dead weight
The dead weight of stair consists of (i) dead weight of waist
slab and (ü) dead
weight of steps.
) Dead weighi of waist slab
The dead weight w', per unit area, is first calculated at right
angles to the slope. The corresponding load per unit horizontal area
is then obtained by
increasing w by the ratio VR? +T'/T where
R= rise and
T = tread. Thus, if t thickness of waist in mm,
=

then
then w
w =
= XIx1
UXx
1000
25000 = 25t N/m* of inclined area.

LIVE LOAD

THCKNESS OF
WAIS.T
SLABB
FIG. 21.4

Hence dead weight wi per unit horizontal area is given by

VR+T2 VR+T
W1=W X
T = 25 TT 25 1+ (R/T)
For example, if R= 150 mm, T == AX0 mrm and t =80 mm

Then w=25 V1 + 150

300
27.95
= 2236 N/m of horizontal area.
 STAIR CASES
841
(i) Dead weight of
steps
The dead
be
weight of the
steps is calculated
to
equivalent horizontal slab of thickness
by treating the step
R/2) Thus, if w2 is the
weight of step
equal to half the rise
we havNe per unit horizontal area.
R
W2 1
2x
2 x 1000
10000
x x 1 x
25000) =12.5 R N/m
where R is rise in mm.
Total w =
Witw2 per unit horizontal area.
21.2 DESIGN OF STAIRS
SPANNING HORIZONTALLY
In this type of stairs, the
effective span is the horizontal distance
between centre to centre of
supports. Each step is designed as spanning
horizontally. Each step is considered equivalent to a horizontal beam
of width b =VR2+7?
measured parallel to the
and an effective depth slope of the stair
D/2, as shown in
is provided in the direction of Fig. 21.1 Main reinforcement
span. The distribution reinforcement,
provided in the form of 6 mm diameter bars at 30 mm c/c is
adequate. normally
Design Example 21.1. A straight stair in a residential building
in supported on wall on one side and
stringer beam on the other
side. The risers are 150 mm and treads are 250
mm, and the horizontal
span of the stairs may be taken as 1.2 metres. Design the steps. Use
M I5 concrete and HYSD bars. (Fe 415)
Solution.
Step 1. Step dimensions (Fig 21.1)
Rise R = = 150 mm ; Tread T = 250 mm
b = VR + T = V150? + 250 =292 mm
Let us keep waist thickness = 80 mm

D 80 + RT =s0+292250, 208 mm
b

Hence the effective depth of equivalent beam = = 104 mm

Width = b = 292 mm; Span = L = 1.25 m.

Step 2. Loading and B.M.

Each step spans horizontally.
Dead load of each step per metre
150
-( 2Ux 250(0= 469 N/n
10XX 1000
80 x 292 x 2500X) = 584 N m
Dead load of waist
10
 842 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Loading of finishing = 70 N/m (say)

Total 1123 N/m

Live load 250
3000 N/m* = x 3 0 0 0 x 1 = 750 N/m

Total= 1873 N/m

w = 1873 N/m

Hence W= 1.5 x 1873 2810 N/m

M, = w 2810(1.25) 548.83 N-m
8 8
= 548.83x 10 N-mm
wl2810 x1.23 = 1756.3 N
Step 3. Design
V.=2 2
constants and limiting depth of N.A.
For Fe 415 steel, , = 415 N/mm*
For M 15 concrete, fk= 15 N/mm
Au max (for Fe 415 steel) = 0.48
R=0.36f 0416 udmar
=
0.36 x 15 x 0.48 (1 -

0.416 x 0.48) =
2.074
Step 4 Computation of d from bending
d ="V = V 548.83 x I0 30.1
R,b mm
2.074 x 292
But available d= 104 mm.
Hence safe. However, the section will be
under-reinforced.
Step 5. Steel reinforcement
For an under reinforced section

A= 1-V1-46M.
Seb aba
.(14.13)
0.5 x 15 14.6X S48.83 x 10| x
15 x 292 (104) 292 x 104
415
= 14.8 mm
However, provide minimum stecl ot one bar of 8 mm dia ner
step giVing A,, = 50 mn
STAIR CASES
843

Provide distribution
bars @ 300 mm c/c. The reinforcement in the form of 6 mm
in fig. 21.1. reinforcement is arranged as shown

21.3. DESIGN OF
DOG-LEGGED STAIR
Design Example 21.2.
Design dog legged stair for a building in which the vertical
a
austancebetween the floors is 3.6m. The stair hall measures 2.5 m X Sm.
The live load
may be taken as 2500 N/m Use M 15 concrete and
Fe 250 reinforcement.
Solution
Step 1. General Arrangemen
Fig. 21.5 shows the plan of stair hall. Lt the rise be 150 mm
and tread be 250 mm. Let us keep width of cach flight = 1.2 m.

LANDING
I.25m

2:75m

-12 m -:2m-
2 . 5 m-
PASSAGE

FIG. 21.5. GENERAL ARRANGEMENT

Height of each ight ==18 m.

No. of risers required = 0.15=

1.8 12 in each flight

No. of tread in each flight =

12-1 11.
11 x 25 275 cnm.
Space occupied by treads
= =

1.25 Hence space left for

Keep width of landing equal to m.

passage= 5.0 -

1.25 -

2.75 = 1 m.
 844 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Step 2. Design constants and limiting depth of NA.

For Fe 250 steel. , = 250 N/mm
For M 15 concrete, fa 15 N/mm =

ma(for Fe 250 steel) = 0.53

d
R = 0.36 f 1 - 0.416umar
d
0.36 x 15 x 0.53 (1
=
0.416 x 0.53) 2.23 -
=

Step 3. Loading on each Slight

The landing slab is assumed to
span in the same direction as
the stairs, and is considercd as
acting together to form a single
slab. Let the bearing of the
landing slab in the wall be 160 mm.
Then cffective span =2.75 +1.25+ 4.08 4.1 m
From the point of view of limiting state for serviccability.
2
d 0
1or a
simply supported slab
Assuming p =0.8 % for an under-reinforced section, we get
a modification factor= 1.58 from Fig. 7.1
L 4100
d 10 mm
20x 1.58 20x I58
Using 12 mm dia bars, D = 130 + 15 + 6 = 151 mm
However, keep D 150 mm, so that
=
d=150-15-6=129 mm.
Weight of slab w' on slope
150
TOOWX1 x 25000 = 3750 N/m

Dead weight on horizontal area

VR+T:
=W1 W

= 3750 xx V(150)+(250) 3750

250
=
x 1.166
= 4372 N/m
Dead weight of step is given by
R
W2 x 1000*
I * Ix 25000 = 150
2000 25000
2
1875 N/m*
Weight of finishing etc. = 100 N (assumed)

Live load = 2500 N/M

Total w= 8847 N/m
Hence w, = 1.5 w = 1.5 x 8847 = 13270 N
STAIR CASES
845
Note :
The value of w on
8847-1875 the
=
6972 N, since landing portion will be
However, an weight of steps will not
uniform value of w has been come on it.
Step 4.
Computation of design adopted here.
slab B.M. and S.F. and
depth of waist

M, =
w,L132708(4.1)?
8 27885 N-m
27.885 x 10° N-mm
V =.L =13270(4.)=27204 N
2
d VR 27.885 X10 =
111.8 mm.
2.23x 1000
Available d = 129 mm.
Hence safe. However, the section will be
Step 5. Steel reinforcement
slightly under-reinforced.
For an under-reinforced section,

4, .5f21-V1-46M
Jk
1d 24.13)
ba
0.5 x 15-V1-46 x 27.85 Xx 10" x 100o(129)
250
15x1000(129)
= 1172 mm*
Using 12 mm o bars,

A =7(12)* = 114 mm
No. of bars required in 1.2 m width
1.2x1172 13 (say)
114

Spacing of bars = 1200 =923 mm.

13
Actual A provided = 13x114= 1235 mm
1.2
Distribution reinforcement 0.15% of area
0.15x 150 x 1000
= 225 mm
100

' s - 8 4 bars ==
1000x
U.) - 224 mm
225
Hence 8 mm o bars 220 mm c/c.
provide
The main reinforcement should be bent to follow the bottom
if this pattern is followed ncar the
profile of the stair. However,
landing, an will be formed in the bar. When the bar is stressed,
angle
 846 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURI:

2mm
LANOING 13Nos.A
12
I30
12mm
7 Nos

250mm
IS0
8m
mm 8mm G 220mm c/c

FLOOR
LEVEL 12mm 13 Nos.

2mm Nos.
Im
2 75 mn
+ - 23m
FIG. 21.6.
it will try to throw off the concrete
cover. Hence near the
the bars are taken landing,
straight up and then bent in the
zone of
landing. In order to take tensile stresses in compression
the
portion, it is desirablc to use separate set of bars as shown landing
in Fig.
21.2. However, since the bending moment is
the landing, only half the number of very much reduced near
bars may be
provide 7 nos. of 12 mm o bars. The leng1h of eachprovided, i.e.,
type of bar
on either side of the
crossing should be at least equal to
L = 54.4 x 12 = 660 mm
The details of reinforcement etc. are
shown in Fig. 21.6.
Since al1 the bars of tensile
reinforcement are taken into the
support, the anchorage and development length
be automatically satisfied. requiremcnts will
21.4. DESIGN OF STAIRS WITH
QUARTER SPACE
LANDING
Design Example 21.3. Fig. 21.7 shows the
of a stair case for an ojfice general arrangement
building. The tread is 300 mm and rise
is 150 nmm. The stairs is built in the side wall
along the for
a distance of 120 mm.
Design the stair case for a live loadflighis
of 3000
kN m taking the span in the direction of the
and take Fe 250 steel. flight. Use M I5 concrete
Solution.
Step 1. Design constants and limiting depth of N.A
For Fe 250 steel,
250 N/mm
=
STAIR CASES
847

C
2 13 14 15 16 17 1:4m

Im 4m

3m 5 5m

A
:4m
Im

4 3m-
FIG. 21.7.

For M 15 concrete, fek 15

=
N/mm
Aumar
d
(for Fe 250 steel) = 0.53

R. =0.36f (0.416u
0.36 x 15 x 0.53 (1
=
0.416 x 0.53) = 2.23
-

Step 2. Efective span

Assume 200 mm bearing of the landing in the walls.
Effective span of flight AB = 3 + 1.4+0.10 = 4.5 m.

Effective span of night BC = 0.1 + 1.4 + 1.5 + 1.4 +0.1 = 4.5 m

Thus, effective span of both the flights is equal. Hence any one
flight (say light BC) may be designed and the same reinforcement
may be adopted for the other flight.
Step 3. Loading on each fight
Let the thickness of the waist slab be 200 mm.
200
Weight of w' on slope = 1 0 X I X 1.4 x 25000 per metre run

Weight Wi per horizontal metre run

+ (300)2
1.4 x 25000(150)
1000X 300
7825 N/m run
 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES
848

788 N
Weight of cach step =
1.4 xx 2500 =

10
metre run
Weight W2 of steps per horizontal

788 1000
x 300 2625 N
Alternatively,
W2 R
x1ox1x1.4x25000= x1.4 x 25= 2625 N
W
per metre run 7825 + 2625
Total dead weight =

= 10450 N

Weight of finishing etc. = 150 N (Ssay)

Total= 10600 N/m

For the computation of live load, consider Fig. 21.8. Since the
is built into the side wall distance 120 mm
flight
( > 1 1 0mm), the loaded width
a
= 1.4 -
by0.15 = 1.25 m.

L i v e load/m = 3000 x 1.25 =3750 N

O1Sm
I25m
3000N/m

4m
-b14+0-075 = I:475

FIG.21.8.
Effective breadth b = 1.4 + 0.075 = 1.475 m = 1475 mm

Hence total w per horizontal metre run

10600 +3750 =14350 N/m
Step 4. Design of Jlight BC
Landing B is common to both the flights. Hence w for landing
B = x 14350 = 7175 N/m, while w for landing C will be taken
as 14350 N/m. The loading, B.M.D. and S.F.D. are shown in Fig.
21.9.
Reaction R, = 1(7175 x 1.5 x 1.5, 14350 x 3x 3 = 30494 N
2
R=7175 x 1.5 + 14350 x 3 30494 23318N
30494
S.F. is zero at a distance 2.125 m from C.
 STAIR CASES
849

7175N/n 4350 N/m

5m - 3m

(a) LOADING

12556 - -2125m
(D) S.F.D.

32-4XIO N-mm
(c B.M.D.
FIG. 21.9.
B.M. will be maximum
where S.F. is zer0.
max |30494 x 2.12514350 1000-32.4x10* N-mm
2
Design M, 1.5x 32.4 x 10° =48.6 x 10° N-mm
=

Breadth b of slab for

design 1457 mm =

'd=d= V
V VV
= 48.6 X 10
R,b 23
2.23 x
1475**
x 1475 mm

Keep
total depth 150 mm Using 12 mm o bars and
=

clear
cover of 15 mm, d= 150- 15 6= 129 mm -

Since available d is more than the effective

the section will be slightly under-reinforced. depth required,
For an under reinforced section,

A-51-V1- 4.6 M bd Sce ba? .(14.13)

0.5x15 14.6X48.6x10 1X1475

15x1475(12912 x1475xx 129
129
= 2130.7 mm

Using 12 mm o bars, Ap =7(12) = 113.1 mm?

. No. of bars required in 1475 mm width = =

18.8
113.1
Hence provide 19 bars of 12 mm p.
Distribution reinforcement
Ad = 1.5 x 121.6 = 182.4 mm
Using 8 mm » bars, As =(8) 50.3 mm =
850 REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

100x 50.3
Spacing =

182.4
= 276 mm.

However, provide 8 dia. bars mm 250 mm cc

The same reinforcement may be provided for both the flights.
At the landing, provide reinforcement both of top as well as at
bottom. The details of reinforcement are shown in Fig Z1.10.

4n Sm
9 Nos.
Ar2mrmm250mm onos
180 2 m m 9 Onos

12mm Nos
12mm
-Bmm
300 mm
250mm c/c

19 Nos T50mm 12 mm
ONos.

(a) FLIGHT AB Zi0omm

-14m 4-5m |.4m
8mm 250 mm c/c
80
TE

12mm IONos. 8mm 250mm e

2mm/2mm 9 Nos.
12mm
19 Nos
L8mm Li2mm
@250 mm ct 10Nos
(b) FLIGHT BC

FIG. 21.10.
PROBLEMS
1. Design the stairs for a public building, supported on wall on one side
and stringer beam on the other side. The horizontal span of stairs if 1.4
m. The risers are 120 mm and tread are 300 mm. Use
M 15 mix and
Fe 415 steel.
2. Design a suitable dog-legged stair in a public building, to be located in
a staircase 6 metre long, 3.2 m wIde and 3.7 m high, with a door of
1.1 m wide in each of the longitudinal wals. The doors face each other
and are located with their centre at a distance of 0.9 metres from the
resnective corners of the staircase. Use M 15 mix and Fe 415
steel
3. A two storeyed building is to have a R.C. starcase from ground floor
to first floor roof. The size ot the staircase is 4.3 m x 4.3 m and there
is one door opening in ne wal ana a window opening on the opposite
wall. Design the staircase, giving the detais of formation, R.C. slab arrangement
of building, risers and treads witn their top finishing with suitabie sketch.
The width of stair is 1.2 m and height t each storey is 3.4 m. Use
M 20 mix and Fe 415 steel.