Structural Design Report

J1696 St. James Stair

Ref: J1696-Doc-02
Revision: X3

Webb Yates Engineers Ltd

44-46 Scrutton Street,
London, EC2A 4HH
020 3696 1550
info@webbyates.co.uk
www.webbyates.co.uk
CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
2 TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3 EXISTING BUILDING ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
4 MAIN STAIR ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
5 STEEL TRANSFER STRUCTURE.................................................................................................................................................. 11
6 MAIN LANDING BALUSTRADE ................................................................................................................................................. 13
7 STAIR 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
8 TEMPORARY WORKS ................................................................................................................................................................... 13
9 DESIGN STANDARDS AND REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 13
APPENDIX A – STONE DATA SHEET AND TESTING REPORT ............................................................................................... 14
APPENDIX B – STONE SPECIFICATION ........................................................................................................................................... 15
APPENDIX C – MAIN STAIR CALCULATION AND SKETCHES .............................................................................................. 16
APPENDIX D - STEEL GRILLAGE SCHEME ....................................................................................................................................... 17
APPENDIX E – LOADS FROM GRILLAGE TO EXISTING STRUCTURE ................................................................................. 18
APPENDIX F – MAIN LANDING BALUSTRADE CALCULATIOSN AND SKETCHES ....................................................... 19
APPENDIX G – STAIR 2 CALCULATIONS AND SKETCHES ..................................................................................................... 20

GENERAL NOTES

Only construction status documentation is to be constructed from. If you do not have a construction issue document
and you are about to build something, please contact Webb Yates Engineers. Ensure that you have the latest revision
prior to construction.
This document is strictly confidential to our client, or their other professional advisors to the specific purpose to
which it refers. No responsibility whatsoever is accepted to any third parties for the whole or part of its contents.
This document has been prepared for our client and does not entitle any third party to the benefit of the contents
herein.
This document and its contents are copyright by Webb Yates Engineers Ltd. No part of this document may be
reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Webb Yates Engineers Ltd.

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REVISION HISTORY

Revisions indicated with line in margin.

Revision status: P = Preliminary, T = Tender, C = Construction, X = For Information

Revision Date Author Reviewer Approved Description

X1 29.11.13 RN SW SW Draft for comment
X2 11.12.13 RN SW SW Revised for information
X3 31.01.14 RN SW SW Updated with Final Information

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1 INTRODUCTION
Webb Yates Engineers Limited (WYE) have been appointed by Luc Tamborero of stair designers Mecastone to carry
out structural analysis and design of the stone stair and balustrade structures at St. James Place as part of the fit-out
contract. St. James Place is an existing Grade II* listed concrete framed building split into separate flats located in
Central London. The stone structures are to be installed into a duplex flat occupying the third and fourth floors
which are currently undergoing refurbishment.

These stone structures are contractor designed elements to be designed in line with requirements set out in Jamie
Fobert Architects outline drawings and specification and a design report by the primary building engineer, Arup.

There are four main elements:

- Main Stair (Stair 1) - to include stone stair and stone balustrade
- Steel transfer structure under main stair
- Main Landing Balustrade
- Small stair (Stair 2)

WYE are responsible for the structural design of the four main elements listed above. Stair support forces are to be
submitted by WYE to the main building engineer for approval. Detailed dimensions of the stair structures and any
sub-components are the responsibility of the stone contractor.

2 TERMS OF REFERENCE
- Jamie Fobert Architects Stair report – ‘276_Stair Package_130503 EDM’.
- Jamie Fobert Architects stair drawings.
- Arup sketches ‘Stage D Drawings Structural Engineering 15 April 2013’.
- Arup structural note ‘Design Note 2 23 September 2013 Rev A’ - Briefing Note for new stair support.

3 EXISTING BUILDING
The existing building is an 8 storey concrete frame building in Central London built in the late 1950’s. The primary
structure consists of reinforced concrete slabs spanning between downstand beams supported by concrete columns
and walls. Overall stability is provided by a series of reinforced concrete shear walls.

The assessment of the primary structure for the imposed loads from the stair structures is the responsibility of the
main building engineer, Arup. The assessment and constraints are set out in Design note 2 23 September 2013 Rev A.

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4 MAIN STAIR
The main stair is to be installed in the centre of the main space linking the third and fourth floors. The architectural
aspiration is for a solid stone stair made from discrete blocks cut from larger blocks of quarried Roman Travertine
Limestone. Structurally the intention is to create a true loadbearing stone structure using the inherent material
properties and shape of the structure to provide adequate loadpaths.

By its nature the stair is a massive structure and so has a large dead load of the order of 9 tonnes. Importantly this
load cannot be supported off the existing third floor slab. The slab itself has been assessed by the main building
engineer and has been deemed to have insufficient capacity. The slab soffit is inaccessible and so no strengthening
work can be carried out from the underside. Also the risk of loading the slab and causing any slab deflection which
may cause damage to finishes in the demise below must be avoided. Therefore a transfer structure has been designed
to support the load and take it back to stiffer points; the core walls and downstand beams

Figure 4.1a) Existing structure and 4.1b) Proposed stair

4.1 GEOMETRY

The proposed geometry is shown on JFA drawings and consists of 4 main elements. A lower flight containing 6 treads
extends from the third floor up to a near semi-circular half landing. This landing with curved base turns through an
angle of 145 degrees to the point that the main flight starts. Eleven treads make up the main flight and take the stair
up to the main fourth floor landing. There is an arched balustrade on the inside of the treads which continues around
the re-entrant corner.

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Through a series of workshops with JFA and Mecastone (stone mason) this geometry has been fine tuned to create a
geometry and joint layout that strikes a balance between the architectural, structural and construction requirements.
A number of iterations have been required to reach this point with the process being informed by the original
architectural intent, the structural analysis, the size of the base blocks from which the pieces will be cut, weight of
each piece and an understanding of how the pieces will fit together to produce the most seamless visual finish in terms
of matching vein lines in the stone.

Figure 4.2 Extract from Rhino model showing joint locations

The geometry and joint layout have been drawn in Rhino, a 3D drawing software package from which cutting drawings
for each piece will be produced. This model and the final cutting drawings will require review and acceptance from
architect and engineer prior to commencement of cutting.

Final stair geometry and joint layouts are shown on Mecastone/ EDM drawings.

4.2 LOADING

Structural loading is calculated in accordance with BS EN 1991-1.

•
Dead Load – Selfweight of stone based on density of 24.6kN/m3
• Superimposed Dead Load – No finishes are assumed
• Imposed Load – Sub-category A1 - 1.5kN/m2 or 2.0kN point load.

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 • Horizontal balustrade load - 0.36kN/m applied at 1.1m above FFL or 0.5kPa applied to whole panel

4.3 STONE

The proposed stone is a Roman Travertine Limestone quarried in Italy. Travertine limestone is a sedimentary rock
created by the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate from solution in ground and surface waters and geothermally
heated hot springs. It is characterised by horizontal bedding planes and porosity caused by organisms colonising the
surface and being pressurised under subsequent layers.

Figure 4.3a) Example of exposed rock face in quarry and 4.3b) Example of extracted blocks

In order to confirm the structural properties of the material strict testing procedures exist. Due to the variable and
inhomogeneous nature of this stone testing is required on samples taken from the specific blocks of stone to be used
in the stair construction. A partial material factor of safety of 3.0 is used in design. The full stone specification is
contained in Appendix B and the main points are summarised as follows:

• Stone is required to be tested to BS EN 13161:2008 (4pt) for flexural strength.

• Stone is required to be tested to BS EN 1926:2006 for compressive strength.
• Minimum of 10 sample specimens shall be selected from a homogenous batch for each loading direction to
determine the log-normal distribution lowest estimated value.
• Stone sampling and testing must be from a known source of the quarry and relevant to the stone used in the
stair design.
• Direction of the planes of anisotropy shall be marked on each specimen by at least two parallel lines.

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 • If the use of the stone in respect of the position of the planes of anisotropy is known the test shall be carried
out with the force applied on the face that will be loaded during use.

Test data from the quarry has been received and the properties are as follows with full datasheet contained in
Appendix A:

Apparent Density - 24.6kN/m3

Mean Uniaxial compressive strength - 78 MPa
Flexural Strength (load applied perpendicular to the bedding plane) - 11.6 MPa

NB: These values are taken from material data sheet provided by the quarry. The quarry is
responsible for ensuring that this data is relevant to the actual stone blocks used.

Further tests were required to determine the flexural strength with load applied parallel to the bedding plane (the
weakest direction) with samples cut from the actual blocks of stone to be used and the results are as follows with full
test report in the Appendix A.

Flexural Strength (load applied parallel to the bedding plane) - 1.1MPa

Shear Strength is taken to be equal flexural strength for the direction of loading considered.

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4.4 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

4.4.1 PHYSICAL MODEL

The geometry of the stair and therefore the loadpaths are complex. To aid the understanding of the structural
behaviour a 1:10 scale model of the stone stair was built. Each block was individually cut to reflect the joint layout
developed and the stair was built block by block to qualitatively prove the stability and loadpaths prior to the full
computer model analysis.

Figure 4.4a) and b) Photos of 1:10 scale model

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4.4.2 STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR

The stair is a true loadbearing structure which requires no internal strengthening or reinforcement and works with
the material’s natural compressive and tensile strengths. The main flight and balustrade is shaped such that it acts as
one half of a three pin arch. It is horizontally restrained at the top and base to resist the arch thrust and also
vertically supported at the base. Joints between the blocks making up this arch are arrange such that they are
tangential to the arch thrust line and so theoretically only compressive forces are transferred through.

The soffit of this main flight is shaped such that approximately 2/3 of the flight width can act as an arch. The remaining
third of the treads are easily able to cantilever out the remaining distance. However in reality each tread is supported
by the tread beneath and so vertical load will track down towards the arches. The base of the arch then springs
directly from the supporting structure below.

The half landing is made up from segments with interlocking ‘torsion blocks’. These ensure that the segments cannot
rotate independently and are locked in place. At the edges vertical support is taken from the main arch base and the
lower flight.

The landing as a whole is prevented from overturning outwards from the centre by being notched into the centre
balustrade. This balustrade piece is further held down by the weight of the main flight. Due to the test data received
for the tensile strength of the stone in the weaker direction (load parallel to the bedding plane) this area has had to be
reinforced with the use of carbon fibre dowels to provide the required tensile capacity at this location.

The lower flight acts like a true cantilever stair in that the root of each tread is essentially fixed in torsion with vertical
load on the outer end of the tread tracking down to the base support.

4.4.3 ANALYSIS MODEL

The overall behaviour of the stair has been modelled using a 1-D finite element model in Oasys GSA. The discrete 1-
D elements represent theoretical elements within the stone. Connectivity between the separate pieces is modelled
by rigid arms with the relevant element releases which reflect the forces which can be transferred through each joint.

A thrust line analysis has also been carried out on the main arch to further show that the arch performs satisfactorily
both under self-weight and under patch imposed load cases.

Local stresses around a typical torsion blocks and nibs have been checked by hand to ensure that shear stresses are
within acceptable limits.

The results of these analyses show that the stair is stable under its own selfweight and the imposed loads (applied as
patch load cases) and that the stone is working within allowable compressive and tensile (and thus shear) stress limits.

Calculations and sketches are contained in Appendix C.

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5 STEEL TRANSFER STRUCTURE
A mentioned in the previous section, as the slab beneath the main stair does not have sufficient capacity the stair loads
must be transferred to the core wall and downstand beam at third floor level. To do this a steel transfer structure is
required which must span approximately 3.75m and fit within a 75mm structural zone which will be contained within
the floor finishes. A 10mm deflection zone is then allowed beneath this. This is a span/ depth ratio of nearly 50 and
so the steel structure will be governed by deflection.

Figure 5.1 Grillage structure

As the stair load is predominantly dead load from the selfweight the deflection due to this can be counteracted by
pre-cambering the structure by the required amount. Under dead load the deflection is of the order 20mm. The
grillage will be made with a pre-camber which is calculated based on the true vertical load distribution of the stair and
tested for sensitivity to ensure that with a range of load distributions the final level of the steel will be within the
finishes zone allowed.

Output axis: global

20.00 mm
15.00 mm
10.00 mm
5.000 mm
0.0 mm
-5.000 mm
Case: C1 : Pre-camber

Figure 5.2 Grillage with pre-camber

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The grillage will be formed with steel plates top and bottom approximately 3.7m long x 1.8m wide. A series of steel
web stiffeners made from back to back angle sections will be incorporated to give the structure adequate stiffness.
Plate will be grade S355 and between 6 and 10mm thick.

To construct the grillage with the specified pre-camber the bottom plate will be laid flat on shims to form the
required camber. The angles will be pre-rolled to the correct camber and then placed on top of the plate. The angles
will then be intermittently welded to the plate with the stiffness of the angles keeping the fabrication from distorting
however the fabricator will need to take care with the welding sequence to ensure that this effect is kept to a
minimum. The top plate can then be welded on in facetted sections short enough to enable welding between the
underside of the plate and the top of the web stiffeners until the fabrication is complete.

The sequence of construction is critical as any settlement of the stair support during erection should be minimized.
Therefore it is proposed that once grillage is pre-cambered, it is then pre-loaded to take up its final level position and
locked in place.

This will be done using a jack to load the grillage. Then, with the load applied, stiffening channels will be bolted to the
grillage at the ends only. Upon release of the jack load the grillage will push up against the bottom of the channels and
will be locked in place. The channels will deflect upwards 1-2mm but this is acceptable.

Following a discussion on site with the main contractor and steel fabricator it was decided that for ease of installation
the grillage would be built and welded up in-situ. All relevant site welding procedures will need to be in place and all
welds inspected following completion.

As each stone block is placed on the grillage the bearing between the grillage and stiffening channel will incrementally
reduce with negligible deflection. Once the weight of the whole stair is applied there should be no further stress at
the interface and the channels can then be removed.

At this point the stair load will be fully transferred to the supports at either side and a 10mm clear gap will remain
beneath. This will give visual verification that the slab is not loaded and that the grillage has performed it’s task. Any
further deflection will be caused by live load only. This will be of the order of 1-2mm under the full live load. This is
deemed to be acceptable however in normal service the live load will be much less than this.

Refer to Appendix D for sketches describing the steel grillage construction.

Loads from the grillage to the existing structure are given in Appendix E.

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6 MAIN LANDING BALUSTRADE
The balustrade to the main landing is formed using 100 thick stone panels. Lower panels are fixed back to the slab
edge with a joint at approximately finished slab level using resin anchored bolts and steel bearing angles with a detail
that allows tolerance to be taken out in all directions. Upper panels are then placed on top of the lower panels and
locked in position using shear keys and positive connections to existing columns and walls.

Structural sketches and calculations are contained in Appendix F.

7 STAIR 2
Stair 2 is much smaller and simpler in comparison to stair one. It consists of 3 main blocks each containing 3 treads.
The bottom tread is supported directly off the slab beneath. The middle block springs off the bottom block and in
turn supports the top block. It is restrained against torsion via a fixing back into the existing reinforced concrete wall.
The top block is supported between the concrete landing and the middle block.

Structural sketches and calculations are contained in Appendix G.

8 TEMPORARY WORKS
The Contractor will need to ensure that the structure is stable and adequately braced in the temporary condition and
until all permanent stability systems are place.

9 DESIGN STANDARDS AND REFERENCES

The structure will be designed to the Eurocodes including:

• BS EN 1990: Eurocode 0: Basis of structural design

• BS EN 1991-1-1: Eurocode 1: Actions on structures – Part 1-1: General actions – Densities, self-weight and
imposed loads
• BS EN 1993-1-1: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures – Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
• BS EN 1993-1-8: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures – Part 1-8: Design of joints
• BS 6180: Barriers in and around buildings. Code of practice
• BS EN 13161:2001 Natural stone test methods. Determination of flexural strength under constant moment
• BS EN 1926:2006 Natural stone test methods. Determination of uniaxial compressive strength

Where Eurocodes are provided above, this is deemed to include the relevant National Annex together with main
Eurocode document.

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APPENDIX A – STONE DATA SHEET AND TESTING REPORT

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 REPORT 50490/G

TESTING OF

OCEAN TRAVERTINE

ST JAMES PLACE

Sandberg LLP
5 Carpenters Place
Clapham High Street
London SW4 7TD
Tel: 020 7565 7000
Fax: 020 7565 7101
email: mail@sandberg.co.uk
web: www.sandberg.co.uk
 sandberg
consulting engineers
investigation inspection Sandberg LLP
materials testing
5 Carpenters Place
London SW4 7TD
Tel: 020 7565 7000
Fax: 020 7565 7101
email: clapham@sandberg.co.uk
web: www.sandberg.co.uk

REPORT 50490/G

TESTING OF

OCEAN TRAVERTINE

ST JAMES PLACE

Ateliers de France This report comprises
1 Warren Mews 2 pages of text
London Table 1 of 1 sheet
W1T 6AJ

For the attention of Mr Kanwal Deep Kapoor 27 January 2014

Partners: N C D Sandberg S M Pringle S C Clarke D J Ellis P Tate A A Willmott R A Rogerson M A Eden J D French C Morgan G S Mayers G C S Moor
Senior Associates: Dr R M Harris R D Easthope J Williamson R H Gostomski I M Hudson J Garner J H Dell
Associates: D Hunt S R P Morris M I Ingle R A Lucas
Consultants: T Carbray Prof F M Burdekin Prof M Grantham J J Krancioch

Sandberg established in 1860 is a member firm of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering
Sandberg LLP (Reg No OC304229) is registered in England and Wales Registered Office 40 Grosvenor Gardens London SW1W 0EB
 sandberg
consulting engineers
investigation inspection Sandberg LLP
materials testing
5 Carpenters Place
London SW4 7TD
Tel: 020 7565 7000
Fax: 020 7565 7101
email: clapham@sandberg.co.uk
web: www.sandberg.co.uk

REPORT 50490/G

TESTING OF

OCEAN TRAVERTINE

ST JAMES PLACE

Reference: Instructions from Mr Kanwal Deep Kapoor of Ateliers de France.

1.  INTRODUCTION

We were instructed to undertake testing of natural stone, advised to be Ocean travertine, in
order to establish flexural strength characteristics.

2.  SAMPLES

Test specimens prepared ready for test were received from  Ateliers de France at Sandberg
laboratories on 16 January 2014, as follows.

Sandberg Specimen Size Test

Reference

Ocean travertine

G40081 10 no. 300 x 100 x 50mm Flexural strength (4‐point) ‐ dry

sandberg ‐2‐ 50490/G

3.  TEST METHOD AND RESULTS

3.1  Flexural strength (4‐point) under constant moment

Specimens were tested in accordance with the method given in BS EN 13161 : 2008.

Tests were carried out with the load applied in a parallel to bedding orientation and in
an oven dried condition.

The detailed test results are given in Table 1 of this report and may be summarised as
follows.

Sandberg Orientation / Condition Flexural Strength (4‐pt)

Reference (MPa)
Range  Mean

G40081 Parallel ‐ dry 1.1 ‐ 5.6 2.9

Statistical evaluation of the test results in accordance with the methods in BS EN 13161
: 2008 Annex A (normative) produced the following:‐

        Lowest Expected Value (MPa)

Parallel ‐ dry    1.1

4. REMARKS

These results conclude the requested programme of testing. Please do not hesitate to contact
us if we can be of any further assistance in this matter.

Ateliers de France for Sandberg LLP
1 Warren Mews
London
W1T 6AJ

For the attention of Mr Kanwal Deep Kapoor D J Ellis
Partner

DJE/Geoman/ws
27 January 2014
File:50490/G.rep

Materials, samples and test specimens are retained for a period of 2 months from the issue of the final report. 

Tests reported on sheets not bearing the UKAS mark in this report/certificate are not included in the UKAS accreditation schedule for this
laboratory.

Opinions and interpretations expressed herein are outside the scope of UKAS accreditation.
sandberg
CONSULTING, INSPECTING
50490/G

AND TESTING ENGINEERS Table

FLEXURAL STRENGTH (UNDER CONSTANT MOMENT)

BS EN 13161 : 2008

Load Orientation1 : Parallel

Finish : Sawn
Test Condition : Oven dried

Rock Name Ocean Test By/Date MB / 22.01.14

Rock Type Travertine Checked/Date LN / 22.01.14

Sandberg Breaking Specimen Specimen Specimen Flexural Observations

Sample Load Span Width Thickness Strength
Reference (N) (mm) (mm) (mm) (MPa)

G40081 a 1110 250 99.8 49.6 1.1 Normal Failure

G40081 b 1730 250 99.9 49.0 1.8 Normal Failure

G40081 c 3460 250 99.7 49.7 3.5 Normal Failure

G40081 d 5330 250 100.0 49.0 5.6 Normal Failure

G40081 e 2140 250 99.5 48.9 2.3 Normal Failure

G40081 f 2940 250 100.3 49.7 3.0 Normal Failure

G40081 g 2510 250 99.9 48.8 2.6 Normal Failure

G40081 h 2590 250 99.8 49.7 2.6 Normal Failure

G40081 j 2940 250 99.8 49.1 3.1 Normal Failure

G40081 k 2890 250 99.6 49.6 3.0 Normal Failure

Mean 2.9

Std. Dev. 1.2

Var. Coef. 0.4

¹ With respect to bedding

Lowest Expected Value (MPa) : 1.1

sandberg

This report is personal to the client, confidential, non-assignable and written with
no admission of liability to any third party.

This report shall not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of
Sandberg LLP.

Where our involvement consists exclusively of testing samples, the results and our
conclusions relate only to the samples tested.
APPENDIX B – STONE SPECIFICATION

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Structural Specification for Traditional,
Reinforced and Post Tensioned Stone
Stairs
J1696 St. James Stair

Ref: J1696-Doc-01
Revision: X1

Webb Yates Engineers Ltd

44-46 Scrutton Street
London. EC2A 4HH
020 3696 1550
info@webbyates.co.uk
www.webbyates.co.uk
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
2 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
4 STONE SPECIFICATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 TRADITIONAL STONE CANTILEVER STAIR SPECIFICATION......................................................................................... 6
6 STEEL POCKET STRINGER STONE STAIR SPECIFICATION ............................................................................................. 6
7 REINFORCED STONE STAIR SPECIFICATION ....................................................................................................................... 7
8 POST TENSIONED STONE STAIRS SPECIFICATION ........................................................................................................... 8

GENERAL NOTES
This document is strictly confidential to our client, or their other professional advisors to the specific purpose to
which it refers. No responsibility whatsoever is accepted to any third parties for the whole or part of its contents.
This document has been prepared for our client and does not entitle any third party to the benefit of the contents
herein.
This document and its contents are copyright by Webb Yates Engineers Ltd. No part of this document may be
reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Webb Yates Engineers Ltd.

REVISION HISTORY
Revisions indicated with line in margin.
Revision status: P = Preliminary, T = Tender, C = Construction, X = For Information
Revision Date Author Reviewer Approved Description
X1 11.11.13 RN SW SW For Information

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1 INTRODUCTION
Webb Yates Engineers in collaboration with specialist stone stair designers and contractors have produced numerous
stone stairs and projects include traditional stone cantilever stairs, reinforced stone stairs and post tensioned stone
stairs for residential and institutional buildings. WYE have consolidated past experience of previous projects and
design knowledge to produce a general structural specification for stone stair construction. The specification acts as a
general guidance and refers to generic stone stair structural forms.

2 SCOPE
This document outlines the structural specifications for the works associated with the construction and workmanship
of stone stairs. This document should be read by all parties involved in the construction of the stone stairs including
the client. Material and workmanship specifications are categorized into the four main structural systems:-

• Traditional Cantilever Stone Stair – Treads which are fixed and rotationally restrained against torsion at one
end often built into a masonry wall. Each tread is vertically supported by the tread below.

• Steel Pocket Stringer Cantilever Stone Stair – Traditional cantilever stone stairs constructed with treads built
into a steel stringer.

• Reinforced Stone – Stone stairs constructed in the manner of reinforced concrete with steel reinforcement
embedded into the profile of the stone section. Steel reinforcing bars are bonded within the stone and the two
materials act compositely in flexure.

• Post Tensioned Stone – Stone sections post-stressed into compression by a steel tendon which is passed
though the section. The steel tendons are post-stressed to counteract the flexural tensile stress of the stone
section in bending. The tendon ducts are either grouted within the stone section or left open.

The four structural forms share similar construction techniques and within each section some workmanship and
material specifications are repeated for completeness and clarity.

3 RESPONSIBILITIES
Stone stair projects involve a collaboration of different parties which include:-
• Client.
• Architects.
• Main building engineer.
• Main building contractor.
• Stone stair designer.
• Stone stair design engineers (Webb Yates Engineers).
In the execution of the project, responsibility and roles of each party needs to be understood.

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3.1 DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1.1 STAIR PRINCIPLE GEOMETRY AND APPEARANCE

• Stair principle geometry and appearance are the responsibility of the architect and stone stair designer.
• Hand rail and balustrade design needs to be agreed between the architect and the relevant designer and issued
before structural design of the stair.
• Material specification such as stone type, steel components and finishes which may influence the structural
performance of the stair needs to be agreed with WYE.

3.1.2 STRUCTURAL DESIGN

• WYE are responsible for the structural design of the staircase only. Stair support forces are to be submitted by
WYE to the Main Building Engineer for approval.
• Client to confirm usage of the stair or any specific loading requirements. In the absence of information
provided WYE will use values outlined in BS EN 1991-1-1 (2002) Eurocode 1 Actions on Structures and NA to
BS EN 1991-1-1 (2002) Eurocode 1 Actions on Structures.
• Rigidity and stiffness of the supporting structure affects the overall deflection of the stair and the deflection
limit of main supporting structure needs to be agreed between WYE and the Main Building Engineer. Design of
the stair assumes less than 4mm imposed load deflection.
• Fixing details to the main structure and pocket openings are designed by WYE and submitted to Main Building
Engineer for approval.
• The overall main building stability and supporting structure to the stair case is the responsibility of the Main
Building Engineer.
• Existing brickwork strength and condition is to be determined by the Main Building Engineer.
• Handrail and balustrade design may not be part of the main stair design package. In this case the design of the
balustrade needs to be coordinated between the stone stair designers and WYE. Fixing details and connection
loads need to be submitted by the balustrade designer to WYE for approval.

3.2 CONSTRUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES

3.2.1 FABRICATION

• Detail dimension of stonework and all sub components of the stair are by the Stone Contractor.
• Fixings to main structure are detailed by WYE and constructed by Stone Contractor.
• Alterations and remedial works to main structure are the responsibility of the Stone Contractor. Proposals and
methodology are to be submitted to the Main Building Engineer for approval.
• It is the responsibility of the Client and Stone Stair Designer to ensure that the testing information provided is
of the stone used in the construction of the stair case is current and relevant for the chosen stone.

3.2.2 SETTING OUT OF STAIRS

• Final setting out of the stair on site is the responsibility of the stone contractor.

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3.2.3 TEMPORARY WORKS

• Temporary works for the construction of the stone stair are by the Stone Contractor. Prop loads and
structural support locations are to be agreed and submitted to the Main Building Engineer and Contractor for
approval.
• Temporary works for protecting the stairs during construction of main building is the responsibility of the
Stone Contractor and Main Building Contractor.

3.2.4 HEALTH AND SAFETY

• The health and safety of the site is the responsibility of the main contractor and the client.

4 STONE SPECIFICATION
4.1 TYPICAL STONES

• Albion Jordan base bed (Portland Stone).

• Combe Brune (French Limestone).
• Travertine (Italian Limestone).

4.2 STONE CERTIFICATION

The following stone properties are required from the stone supplier:-
• Stone Density.
• Mean flexural strength to BS EN 13161:2008 (4pt) for flexural strength. For loading in the 3 principal
directions.
• 95% confidence flexural strength.
• Mean compressive strength to BS EN 1926:2006 for compressive strength. For loading in the 3 principal
directions.
• Elastic modulus.
• Poisson ratio.

4.3 STONE TESTING

• Stone is required to be tested to BS EN 13161:2008 (4pt) for flexural strength.

• Stone is required to be tested to BS EN 1926:2006 for compressive strength.
• Minimum of 10 sample specimens shall be selected from a homogenous batch for each loading direction to
determine the log-normal distribution lowest estimated value.
• Stone sampling and testing must be from a known source of the quarry and relevant to the stone used in the
stair design.
• Direction of the planes of anisotropy shall be marked on each specimen by at least two parallel lines.
• If the use of the stone in respect of the position of the planes of anisotropy is known the test shall be carried
out with the force applied on the face that that will be loaded during use.

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• If the way of use of the stone is not known the test shall be carried out on each of the 3 principal bending
directions.

5 TRADITIONAL STONE CANTILEVER STAIR SPECIFICATION

5.1 MORTAR

• Wall Pocket Mortar

o Location – Masonry pockets in masonry wall.
o Product – CEMEX Rugby Fast Set Cement.
o Joints – 10mm.
• Bedding Mortar
o Location – bedding joints between stone treads.
o Product - Lime/cement mortar with line/stone dust/cement pointing
o Joints - less than 3mm.
• Shims
o Location – To be used for forming bedding joints.
o Product – Plastic or aluminium for general/ light use.
o Special requirements – Heavy duty shims to be used for stair flights over 10 steps.

5.2 FIXINGS, DOWELS AND BOLTS

• Dowels and Bolts

o Product – Minimum M10 Stainless Steel Grade Type 316.
• Resin to Stone or Masonry
o Product - HILTI HY70.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.
• Resin to Concrete
o Product - HILTI HY150.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.

5.3 WORKMANSHIP

• Stone tread to have a minimum bearing of 80mm on masonry wall.

• Temporary supports to be provided until mortar has cured.
• For long straight flights if treads are not propped deformation of shims may lead to excessive deflection during
installation. Heavy duty shims should be used. No more than 4 treads to be erected before bedding mortar has
fully cured.

6 STEEL POCKET STRINGER STONE STAIR SPECIFICATION

6.1 MORTAR

• Steel Pocket Mortar.

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 o Location – pockets in steel stringer.
o Product –CEMEX Rugby Fast Set Cements.
o Joint – 10mm.
• Bedding Mortar
o Location – bedding joints between stone treads.
o Product - Lime/cement mortar with lime/stone dust/cement pointing.
o Joints - less than 3mm.
• Shims
o Location – To be used for forming bedding joints.
o Product - Plastic or aluminium for general/ light use.
o Special requirements – Heavy duty shims to be used for stair flights over 10 steps.

6.2 FIXINGS, DOWELS AND BOLTS

• Dowels and Bolts

o Product – M10 Stainless/mild steel.
• Resin to Stone or Masonry
o Product - Fix using HILTI HY70.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.
• Resin to Concrete
o Product - HILTI HY150.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.

6.3 STEEL STRINGER

• Material – Grade S275JR mild steel.

• Steel Finishes – to be shop painted with minimum zinc phosphate epoxy (Corus Protection System B3) for
internal use.

6.4 WORKMANSHIP

• Stone tread to have a minimum bearing to steel stringer of 80mm.

• Temporary supports to stair during construction until all the steps have been complete and maintain steel
stringer stability.
• Basement waterproofing detail
o Stringer to masonry wall to maintain waterproofing integrity .
o Details to be submitted to Architect for approval.
• Steel fabricated to meet the requirements of the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS 5th Edition).

7 REINFORCED STONE STAIR SPECIFICATION

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7.1 MORTAR

• Wall Pocket Mortar

o Location – Masonry pockets in masonry wall.
o Product – CEMEX Rugby Fast Set Cements.
o Joint- 10mm.
• Bedding Mortar and Embedded Rebars
o Location – bedding joints between stone treads and rebars in stone section.
o Product – Tecroc modified thin joint mortar or similar time permitting mortar (workable for 2
hours).
o Joints - less than 3mm.
• Shims
o Location – To be used for forming bedding joints.
o Product - Plastic or aluminium for general/ light use.

7.2 FIXINGS, DOWELS AND BOLTS

• Dowels and Bolts

o Product – M10 Stainless/mild steel.
• Reinforcement bar – Ancon Stainless Steel Bars.
• Resin to Stone or Masonry
o Product – Fix using HILTI HY70 or modified grout to limit local stresses in stone.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.
• Resin to Concrete
o Product - HILTI HY150.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.

7.3 WORKMANSHIP

• Reinforced stone section to be fabricated off site and craned into position.
• Grout to be injected at the lowest point of the rebar section and pumped to the top of rebar opening to
ensure bar is fully surrounded by grout with no air pockets.

8 POST TENSIONED STONE STAIRS SPECIFICATION

8.1 MORTAR

• Wall Pocket Mortar

o Location – Masonry pockets in masonry wall.
o Product – CEMEX Rugby Fast Set Cements.
o Joint- 10mm.
• Bedding mortar
o Product – Parax Epoxy Mortar ET.

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 o Joint – Less than 3mm.
• Shims
o Location – To be used for forming bedding joints.
o Product - Plastic or aluminium for general/ light use, and dependant on loading. Submit proposals to
WYE for acceptance.

8.2 FIXINGS, DOWELS AND BOLTS

• Dowels and Bolts

o Product – M10 Stainless/mild steel.
• Reinforcement bar
o Product – Unless noted otherwise, DYWIDAG Pre-stressing Steel Thread Bar (high tensile alloy
steel bar).
o Stressed using hydraulic tension puller.
o Location – post tension tendon in stone profile.
• Resin for End Anchor plates (Steel plate to stone interface)
o Product - Fix using HILTI HY70.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.
• Resin to Concrete
o Product - HILTI HY150.
o Special requirements – installation as per product manufacture’s instruction.

8.3 WORKMANSHIP

• Tendon to stone interface to have a minimum size as shown on drawings.

• Interface between steel spreader plate and stone to be fully filled with specified resin to ensure even bearing
over plate area.
• Apply tension in 10kN increments over multiple tendons simultaneously to avoid any out of balance loading.
• Ensure sufficient curing time for bedding mortar before tensioning of tendons.
• Ensure no load reversal of tensioned tendons in stair case during construction (i.e. do not place the tensioned
stair on its side or upside down).
• All mortar/epoxy to be fully cured prior to stressing.

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APPENDIX C – MAIN STAIR CALCULATION AND SKETCHES

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 GSA version 8.6.1.23
Copyright © Oasys 1985-2012
St. James Stair
J1696
File: 131206 AL Main Stair Global Model GSS
Element list: "mass objects"
Scale: 1:22.210
Highlighted:
Coincident Nodes
Coincident Elements

z
y
x

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 GSA version 8.6.1.23
Copyright © Oasys 1985-2012
St. James Stair
J1696
File: 131206 AL Main Stair Global Model GSS
Element list: "display"
Scale: 1:17.731
Highlighted:
Coincident Nodes
Coincident Elements
Axial Force, Fx: 50.000 kN/pic.cm
5.000 kN
2.500 kN
.000 kN
-2.500 kN
-5.000 kN
-7.500 kN
-10.000 kN
-12.500 kN
-15.000 kN
-17.500 kN
-20.000 kN
-22.500 kN
-25.000 kN
-27.500 kN
-30.000 kN
Case: A4 : ULS

z
x

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 GSA version 8.6.1.23
Copyright © Oasys 1985-2012
St. James Stair
J1696
File: 131206 AL Main Stair Global Model GSS
Element list: "display"
Scale: 1:17.726
Highlighted:
Coincident Nodes
Coincident Elements
Translation, Uz
Output axis: global
0.100 mm
0.050 mm
.000 mm
-0.050 mm
-0.100 mm
-0.150 mm
-0.200 mm
-0.250 mm
-0.300 mm
-0.350 mm
-0.400 mm
-0.450 mm
-0.500 mm
-0.550 mm
-0.600 mm
Case: A4 : ULS

x z

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APPENDIX D - STEEL GRILLAGE SCHEME

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APPENDIX E – LOADS FROM GRILLAGE TO EXISTING STRUCTURE

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APPENDIX F – MAIN LANDING BALUSTRADE CALCULATIONS AND SKETCHES

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APPENDIX G – STAIR 2 CALCULATIONS AND SKETCHES

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