BUILDING CONSTRUCTION II

COTM 3072

CHAPTER ONE
VERTICAL CIRCULATION

Instructor- Addisalem G.
CONTENTS

1.1.Introduction
1.2.Technical terminologies
1.3.Classification of stairs
1.4.Stairs of different materials
1.5.Essential requirements of a good stair
1.6.Ladders
1.7.Ramps
1.8.Elevators
1.9.Escalators
1.10. Staircase calculations
1.1 Introduction

Circulation
Is the movement of people and goods through interior spaces in buildings
and to entrances and exits

Vertical circulation
Is the movement of people and goods leading from one floor to another and
are provided in building to afford a means of communication between the
various floors.
Vertical circulation

Classification of vertical circulation systems

Vertical circulation systems may be divided into two classes.

• Class I systems are intended for movement of both people and goods and
include stairs, ramps, ladders escalators, and elevators.
• Class II systems, including dumbwaiters and vertical conveyors, in
contrast, may not be used for movement of people.
 Cont.…..

Access in buildings (vertical circulation) can be classified into categories:

I. Moving
• An elevator, a staircase or a belt that moves by using different kinds of
electrical or hydraulic driving motors. For example:
•An elevator or lift
•Escalator
•Conveyor
•For the case of handicaps there are moving chairs
II. Stationary
• Most widely used access in buildings. There is no any motor that drive the
system, rather it is fixed.
• Stairs,
• Different kinds of ladders,
•Ramps, Corridors.
Stairs

• Stairs are set of steps leading from one floor to another and are provided
in building to afford a means of communication between the various
floors.
• Steps arranged in series and placed in an enclosure is called Stair Case.
• Stairs should be designed properly to provide proper:
• Ventilation
• Light (Natural)
• Location: Near Main Entrance for Public Buildings and
Centrally for easy access and privacy in Residential
Buildings.
 Cont.…..

 Less space is required for stairs than for ramps, because steeper slopes
can be used.
 Maximum slope of stairs for comfort is estimated to be about 1 on 2 (27 ),
but this angle frequently is exceeded for practical reasons.
 Exterior stairs generally range in slope from 20 to 30 ,
 Interior stairs from 30 to 35
Cont.….
Cont.…

Primary function of stairs

1. Provide a means of circulation between floor levels.
2. Establish a safe means of travel between floor levels.
3. Provide an easy means of travel between floor levels.
4. Provide a means of conveying fittings and furniture between floor
levels.
6.2.Technical terminologies

Step: is a portion of stair which permits ascent or descent.

• It is comprised of a tread and a riser. A stair is composed of a set of steps.
Tread: is the horizontal member of stair.
• The tread of public buildings must be wide enough to provide safe
footing.
Going: is the horizontal distance b/n the nosing or front edges of two
consecutive steps.
• It is usually 30cm for public buildings so that it is wide enough to
provide safe footings.
Riser: is the vertical member of a stair.
Rise: Is the vertical distance b/n the upper surface of two consecutive steps.
• The rise of public building is about 15cm while a higher value can be
used for private buildings.
Cont.…..

Tread: is the horizontal member of stair.

The tread of public buildings must be wide enough to provide safe footing.
Cont.…..

Riser: is the vertical member of a stair.

 Cont.…..

Going: is the horizontal distance b/n the nosing or front edges of two
consecutive steps. It is usually 30cm for public buildings so that it is wide
enough to provide safe footings.
Rise: Is the vertical distance b/n the upper surface of two consecutive
steps. The rise of public building is about 15cm while a higher value can
be used for private buildings.
Cont.….

• Nosing: it is the projecting part of the tread beyond the face of the
riser. It is usually rounded off from the architectural point of view. It
improves the safety of the stairs And users.
Cont.…..
Cont.…..
Cont.…..

• Flight: is a continuous set of steps b/n floors and/or landing.

2 Flights
1 Flight

Flights

Straight Open Riser Dogleg Closed Riser

Landings

Landing: is a platform b/n two flights.

Half Space Landing

•Change stair direction 180⁰

•Landing width = width of stair (min 750mm)
•Used in Dogleg Stairs
Cont.…..

Quarter Space Landing

•Change Stair Direction 90⁰

•Landing Width & Length = Stair Width
•Forms Quarter Turn Stair (min 750mm)
Cont.…..

Intermediate Landing

•Allows the Stair to continue in same direction

•Required where more than 18 Risers
•May be used to give a rest
•Width = Stair Width
•Length = Stair Width or greater
Cont.…..
Cont.…..
Cont.…..
Cont.…..
Cont.…..
Cont.….

• Baluster: is the individual vertical member which supports the hand

rail. The combined framework of hand rail and baluster is known as
balustrade
• String or stringer: is the structural member which supports the
steps and act as inclined beams.
• Hand rail: is a rounded or molded member of wood or metal fixed
on the top of balusters.
• Head room: is the minimum clear vertical distance b/n the tread and
overhead structure.
• Soffit: It is the under surface of the stair .
Cont.….

• Run: it is the total length of stairs in a horizontal plane, including

landings.
• Newel post: Is the vertical member which is placed at the ends of flight
to connect the end stings and handrail.
Cont.…..
• Winders: are tapering steps which are provided for changing the
direction of stair.
 Treads that are tapered
 Must have same rise as the flights
 Maximum of 3 treads per quarter turn

 Must be same width at centre on widths < 1m

 If stair > 1m same width 400mm from inside handrail
Cont.…

winder
6.3.Classification of stairs
• Stairs can be classified into two broad heads:
• Each of the turning stairs are of three type;- Newel stairs
• Well or open newel
stairs and
• Geometrical stairs
Cont.…

Straight stairs
• This stairs runs straight b/n the two floors.
• It is used for small houses
where there are restrictions
in available width.
• The stair may consist of either one
single flight or more than one
flight (usually two) with a landing.
Cont.….
Cont.….

Turning stairs
1. Quarter turn stairs: is the one which changes its direction either to
the left or to the right.
• The turn being affected either by introducing a quarter space landing or
by providing winders.
• Quarter turn stairs are of two types:
A. Newel quarter turn stairs
B. Geometrical quarter turn stairs.
A. Newel quarter turn stairs
• These stairs have the conspicuous newel posts at the beginning and end
of each flight.
• At the quarter turn, there may either be quarter space landing or there
may be winders.
Cont.…
Cont.…

B. Geometrical quarter turn stairs

• The stringer as well as the hand rail is continuous, with no newel post
at the landing.
Cont.…

2. Half turn stairs: is the one which has its direction reversed or changed
for 180 . Such stairs are quite common.
• Half turn stairs are of three types:
A. Dog-legged or newel half turn stairs.
B. Open newel half turn stairs.
C. Geometrical half turn stairs.
A. Dog-legged stairs
• The name is given because of its appearance in sectional elevation.
• It comes under the category of newel stairs in which newel posts are
provided at the beginning and end of each flight.
• These may be of two types:
 With half space landing
 With quarter space landing and winders
Cont.…..
Cont.…

B. Open newel half turn stair

•Has a space or well between the outer strings. This is the only aspect in
which it differs from the dog legged stairs.
•Additional width is required b/n the two flights. When the space provided
is more, a small flight containing two to four steps may be introduced.
Cont.….
Cont.…

C. Geometrical half turn stairs

• The essential feature of such stairs are that the stringers and the hand rails
are continuous, without any intervening newel post.
• This may be either with half-space landing or without.
Cont.….

3.Three quarter turn stairs: has its direction changed three times with
its upper flight crossing the bottom one.
• It may either be newel type or open newel type
• Such type of stair is used when the length of the stair room is limited
and when the vertical distance b/n the two floors is quite large .
4.Bifurcated stairs: The stair has a wider flight at the bottom, which
bifurcates or splits into two narrow flights one turning to the left and
the other to the right, at the landing.
• It may be either of newel type with a newel post or of geometrical
type.
• This type of stair is commonly used in public buildings at their
entrance hall.
Cont.….
Cont.…..(Bifurcated stairs)
Cont.….

5.Continuous stairs: Type of stairs which do neither have any landing

nor any intermediate newel post.
• They are geometrical in shape.
• Continuous stairs may be of three types:
• Circular stairs,
• Spiral stairs, and
• Helical stairs.
A. Circular stairs:
• Has circular plan configuration.
Cont.…

B. Spiral stairs;-have treads which turn and rise around a central column.
• They are usually made either of R.C.C. or metal.
• They are employed at a location where there are space limitations.
• They are also used as emergency stairs and are provided at the back side
of the building.
• All the steps are winders. Therefore they are not comfortable.
Cont.….

C. Helical stairs
• Looks very fine but its structural design and construction is very
complicated.
• It is made of R.C.C. in which a large portion of steel is required to resist
bending, shear and torsion.
Cont.….

Spiral stair
Helical stair
 6.4.Stairs of different materials

The selection of materials for the construction of stairs depend up on

 The availability of materials and ease of transportation
 Funds
 Desired life of building
 Aesthetical importance
 Freedom of design
 Expected fire resisting quality
• Thus, stairs may be made either of timber, bricks, stones, mild steel.
Wrought iron, or plain and reinforced concrete.
1. Timber stairs
• Light in weight and easy to construct.
• They have poor fire resistance and sound insulation.
• They are unsuitable for high rise residential buildings and for public
buildings.
• The timber to be used should be well treated before use.
Cont.….
Cont.….

2. Concrete stairs
• They are most widely used for residential, public and industrial
buildings.
• They are strong, durable, can take any desired shape and have good
fire resistance.
• They are less noisy, can be kept clean and may have more attracting
appearances if suitable finishes are used.
• Reinforced concrete stairs can be cast-in-situ or prefabricated.
Cont.….
Cont.….

Pre-cast Concrete stairs

Have the following advantages:
A. Good quality control of finished product.
B. Saving in site space since formwork fabrication and storage will
not be required.
C. The stairs can be installed at any time after the floors have been
completed thus giving full utilization to the stair shaft as a lifting or
hoisting space if required.
D. Hoisting, positioning and fixing can usually be carried out by
semi-skilled labor.
Cont.….
Cont.…

3. Metal stairs
• These can be produced in cast iron, mild steel or aluminum alloy for
use as escape stairs or for internal accommodation stairs.
• They make a lot of noise and can be built in a smaller area.
• They are normally manufactured in a workshop and fixed on site,
which makes it faster and will be functional immediately.
• Their main advantage is the elimination of the need for formwork.
• Spiral stairs are mainly made of metal.
Cont.…..
Cont.…

4. Stone stairs
• They are strong and rigid and are widely used at the main entrance of
public buildings.
• Stones for such stairs should be dressed and properly bounded to each
other.
• Stone used for the construction of stairs should be hard, strong, and
resistant to wear.
5. Brick stairs
• Similar to stone stairs, brick stairs are used at the entrance of a building.
• Special quality of bricks should be used for the construction of stairs.
• Brick steps may be plastered or pointed at all the joints.
• If properly made, brick stairs are durable, have good aesthetic value, but
requires frequent maintenance.
Cont.….

Stone stair

Brick stair
Glass Stair
Combination of Materials
1.5.Essential requirements of a good stair
• Stairs should be designed so as to provide easy, quick and safe mode of
communication b/n the floors. The following are the general
requirements which a stair should fulfill.
A. Location:
• It should be so located as to provide easy access to the occupants of
the building.
• It should be so located that it is well lighted and ventilated directly
from the exterior.
• It should be so located as to have approaches convenient and spacious.
B. Width of stair:
• It should be wide enough to carry the user with out much crowd or
inconvenience.
• Width of stairs depends up to its location in the building and the type
of the building itself.
Cont.….

• If a domestic building, a 90cm wide stair is sufficient while in public

building, 1.5-1.8m width may be required.
C. Length of flight:
• From comfort point of view, the number of steps are not more than
12 and not less than 3.
D. Pitch of stair:
• It’s the slope of the stair.
• Its ascent should be relatively easy.
• Stairs for public building should have a pitch of 38 degree and for
private buildings the pitch should not be more than 42 degree .
Cont...
Cont.….

E. Head room:
• The clear distance b/n the tread and soffit of the flight immediately
above it should not be less than 2.1-2.3m
F. Balustrade:
• Open well stairs should always be provided with balustrade, to provide
safety to the users.
• Wider stairs should have hand rail to both the sides.
Cont.…..

G. Step dimensions:
• The rise and going should be of such dimension as to provide comfort
to the users (for normal, elderly, disabled people& children).
• Their proportion should also be such as to provide desirable pitch of the
stair.
• The going should not be less than 25cm, though the 30cm is quite
comfortable.
• The rise should be b/n 10cm (for hospitals, etc.) to 15cm.
• The following rules are used as a guide line to obtain satisfactory
proportion of steps in a stair.
 Rise + Tread ≥ 40 and ≤ 45cm
 2Rise + Tread ≥ 58 and ≤ 63cm
 Rise x Tread ≥ 400 and ≤ 500cm2
Cont.….
Ladders

• Ladders are used primarily in industrial construction and in utility

and service areas.
 Ramps

 When space permits, a sloping surface, or ramp, can be used to connect

different levels or floors
 Ramps are especially useful when large numbers of people or vehicles
have to be moved from floor to floor.
 adopted for public buildings, such as railroad stations, stadiums, and
exhibition halls.
 And they are either legally required or highly desirable for all buildings,
especially to accommodate persons in wheelchairs
Ramps

• Ramps shall be provided to allow wheel chair access and luggage

path in hotels, for stretchers in hospitals for loading and unloading
in warehouses and factories.
 Ramps have been built with slopes up to 15% (15cm in 1m), but 8% is a
preferred maximum.
 With the 8% maximum slope and a story height of, say, 8 m, a ramp
connecting two floors is 100 m long
 The ramp need not be straight for the whole distance, however. It can
be curved, zigzagged or spiraled.
 Elevators

• Elevators travel vertically to carry passengers, equipment's and freight from

one level of the building to another.
• The two most common types are electric and hydraulic elevator.
Electric elevator:
• Consist of a car that is mounted on guide rails supported by hoisting cables,
and driven by electric hoisting machinery in a pent house.
Hydraulic elevator:
• Consist of a car supported by a piston that is moved by or moves against a
fluid under pressure.
The type, size, number, speed and arrangement of elevators are determined
by:-
Type of occupancy
 Amount and tempo of traffic to be carried
 Total vertical distance of travel
 Round-trip time and speed desired.
Cont.….
Cont.…..

Electric elevator
Escalator

• Escalators are power driven stairways consisting of steps attached

to continuously circulating belt.
• They can move a large number of people efficiently and comfortably
b/n a limited number of floors, six floors are a practicably limit.
• Since escalator move at a constant speed, there is a practically no
waiting period, but there should be adequate queuing space at each
loading and discharge.
• The pitch varies b/n 30-35 .
• Usually used in public areas like airport, shopping malls, etc.
• Typically used in pairs with one going up and other going down.
Cont.….
Staircase Calculation
 Suitable Dimensions For Staircases.

• Relationship between riser and tread can be shown as 2R+T=63cm

(Best going)
• Convention centers, cinema, Theaters: R=16cm
• Schools, hospitals, Office buildings; R= 17cm
• Residential Buildings; R=18cm
Design Steps

1 Geometrical Design
• Assume Suitable Riser And Tread
• No Of Riser ꞊(FF Height) ⁄ (Rise)
• No Of Riser In One Flight ꞊ 0.5(no Of Risers)
• No Of Tread ꞊ (No Of Riser- 1 )
• Going Distance꞊(no Of Tread)× (Tread Width)
• Width Of Landing ≥ Width Of Stair
Calculate for straight stair with single flight

Use suitable Rise =175 mm

 Cont.….

 Total Rise = 2700mm

 Select suitable Rise =175 mm
Divide Total Rise by Rise= 2700/175 = 15.429
Either 15 or 16 Risers = 2700/15 = 180mm(diff=5)
= 2700/16 = 168.75mm(diff=6.25)
Use 180mm is closer to 175mm
BCA states that going must be within the range
• 2 x Rise (R) + Going(G) = 550 to 700
• We can assume that the best answer is the Midpoint
(550 + 700)/2 = 625
• Best Going 2R + G = 625
• Best Going G = 625 – 2R
Cont.….

• Determine Best Going 2R + G = 625=(G = 625 – 2R)

• Best Going for180 Riser265 = 625 – 2 x 180
Use;- Rise 180 and Going 265
Straight stair with restriction on the total going
 Cont.…

 Total Rise = 2700mm

 Total going =3800mm
 Select suitable Rise =175 mm
Solution
 Divide Total Rise by Rise= 2700/175 = 15.429
Either 15 or 16 Risers
= 2700/15 = 180mm (diff=5) closest
= 2700/16 = 168.75mm(diff=6.25)
Use 180mm is closer to 175mm
Cont.…

 Best Going for 180 Riser 265 = 625 – 2 x 180

 3800/265= 14.33, either 14 or 15 number of treads
Check going (b/c the horizontal distance or total going is restricted)
• 3800/14 = 271.43 (difference with B.G =6.43)(Closest)
• 3800/15 = 253.33 (difference With B.G =11.67)
Use
• Rise= 180mm
• Going= 271.43mm
Calculate Stair
Flight with Quarter Turn

Once an Intermediate Landing is introduced the top flight becomes

constrained or limited
 Stair width 900mm  Preferred Rise = 165mm
 Cont.….

Preferred Rise = 165mm

 2700/165 = 16 .364 ( 16 or 17 )
16 , 2700/16= 168.75 (3.75 Diff) closest
17, 2700/17= 158.824 (6.176 Diff)
Use Rise = 168.75mm
 Best Going = 625 – 2R
= 625 – 2 x 168.75
= 287.5mm
 length of first flight = 2700mm-900mm=1800mm
1800mm/287.5mm = 6.261( 6 or 7)
6 , 1800mm/6 = 300 mm (12.5 Diff) closest
7, 1800mm/7 = 257.143mm (30.357 Diff)
Use ;- Rise = 168.364
- Going = 300
Cont.…
Calculate Stair
Constrained Flight with Half Space Landing

Use Preferred Riser 170mm

Cont.…

Preferred Riser 170mm

3600/170 = 21.176 ( 21 or 22)
21, 3600/21 = 171.429 (diff=1.43) closest, Use 171.429mm
22, 3600/22 = 163.636 (diff=6.36)
 Best Going = 625 – 2R
= 625 – 2 x 171.429
= 282.142mm
 Length of 1st Flight = 4050 – 900
= 3150mm
• Divide by Best Going = 3150/282.142
= 11.16 (11 or 12)
11, 3150/11 = 286.364 (diff=4.22) closest (Use 286.364)
12 , 3150/12 = 262.500 (diff=19.64) ,
Cont.….
Rise=171.429mm
Going=286.364mm
Calculate Stair
Constrained Flight with Quarter Turn Winders

Use Preferred Riser 170mm

Cont.….

• Stair width = 900mm

• Preferred Riser 170mm
 4100mm/170mm = 24.118
24, 4100/24 = 170.833mm(diff=0.833) closest
25, 4100/24 = 164mm (diff=6)
Use Rise 170.833
 Best Going = 625 – 2R = BG
= 625 – 2 x 170.833 = 283.334mm
Length of Ist flight = 3550mm-900mm= 2650mm
2650/ 283.334 = 9.353 (9 or 10 )
9, 2650mm/9 = 294.444mm,(diff=11.104) closest
10, 2650mm/10 = 265mm, (diff=18.34)
Use;- Rise = 170.833mm
- Going = 294.444mm
Cont.…..
Calculate Stair
Constrained Flight with Half Space Landing

Use Preferred Riser 170mm

Cont.….

• Stair width 950mm

• Preferred Riser 170mm
 Number or riser = 3400mm/170mm = 20
 Best Going = 625mm – 2R
= 625mm – 2 x 170mm
= 285mm
Check;- 2400mm/285mm = 8.421 (8 or 9)
8 , 2400/8 = 300mm (15 Diff)closest
9, 2400/9 = 266.667mm (18.3 Diff)
 Use ;- Rise = 170
- Going = 300
End of chapter I
Thank you