CHAPTER 1

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STRAICASE DESIGN
(Based on EC)
By
Tuan Norhayati binti Tuan Chik
JKSB, FKAAS, UTHM

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Introduction
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Stairs are an essential part of every building since

they lead from one floor to another and connect
different levels.
It consists of a flight of steps, usually with one or
more intermediate landings provided between the
floor levels.
Figure below shows and explains the basic
terminology of stairs
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Introduction
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Introduction
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The dimension of stair should be such as to give the maximum

comfort to the users, which depends on the use of the building.
For example, in public buildings the riser (R) is not more than
180 mm, whereas in private buildings is not more than 200 mm.
The going (G) shall not be less than 255 mm in public buildings
and varies between 250 mm to 400 mm in private buildings.
For comfort, the riser (R) and going (G) dimensions can be
proportioned according to the following formula;
(2 x R) + G = 600 mm [ See UBBL, BS 5395, Handbook ]
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Types of Staircase
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There are different types of stairs, which depend

mainly on the type and function of the building and
on architectural requirements.
The most common types are shown as follows.

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Types of Staircase
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Types of Staircase
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Types of Staircase
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General Design Considerations

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The reinforced concrete stairs should be designed generally similar to

reinforced concrete slabs, except as indicated otherwise in this section.
1. ACTIONS
When considering the permanent load for the flights of stair, care
should be taken to ensure that a sufficient allowance is made to
cater the weight of the steps and finishes as well as the increase
loading on plan occasioned by the inclination of the waist.
Where stair with open wells have two intersecting landings at rightangles to each other, the actions on the areas common to both
spans may be divided equally between the spans.
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General Design Considerations

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2. BENDING MOMENTS AND SHEAR FORCES

Stair slabs and landings should be designed to support the most
unfavorable arrangements of design loads.
For example, where a span is adjacent to a cantilever of length
exceeding one third of the span of the slab, the case should be
considered of maximum load on the cantilever and minimum load
on the adjacent span.
Stairs which are continuous and constructed monolithically with
their supporting slabs or beams can be designed for a bending
moment of say FL/10, where F is the total ultimate load.
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General Design Considerations

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3. EFFECTIVE SPANS
The effective span of stairs spanning between beams or walls
is the distance between centre-line of supporting beams or
walls.
The effective span of stairs spanning between landing slabs is
the distance between centre-line of supporting landing slabs,
or the distance between the edges of the supporting slabs
plus 1.8 m, whichever is the smaller.

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Example 1.1
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(Stair spanning longitudinally continuous over supports)

A longitudinal straight reinforced concrete stairs supported by

reinforced concrete beams at both ends is shown in the figure (unit
mm). Landing slabs at both ends of the stairs are monolithically
connected to the stairs.
Using grade 25 concrete and
grade 500 steel, design the stair
for a variable action of 4.0
kN/m2 and permanent action
from finishes, baluster and
railing of 1.0 kN/m2 . Assume
nominal concrete cover 25 mm
and bar size 10 mm.
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Solution Example 1.1

End of Example 1.1

Example 1.2
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(Stair spanning longitudinally with landing and

continuous at one end)

A longitudinal straight reinforced concrete stairs supported by

reinforced concrete beams at both ends is shown in the figure (unit
mm). Landing slabs at both ends of the stairs are monolithically
connected to the stairs.
Using grade 25 concrete and
grade 500 steel, design the stair
for a variable action of 4.0
kN/m2 and permanent action
from finishes, baluster and
railing of 1.0 kN/m2 . Assume
nominal concrete cover 25 mm
and bar size 10 mm.
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Solution Example 1.2

End of Example 1.2

Example 1.3
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(Stair supported by landing spanning perpendicular to

stair flight)

variable actions

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Example 1.3
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Solution Example 1.3

End of Example 1.3

Example 1.4
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(Two stairs spanning perpendicular to each other sharing

a landing)

Design and detail a typical two flight shown in figure below.

The flights are spanning perpendicularly to each other sharing
one common landing. The overall depth of landing and waist of
both flights is 150 mm, while the width of going and height of
riser are 255 mm and 170 mm respectively.
Assume a variable action of 3.0 kN/m2 and permanent action
from finishes, baluster and railing of 1.0 kN/m2. Use grade 25
concrete, grade 500 steel and nominal concrete cover of 25
mm.

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1500

1500

Example 1.4
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Solution Example 1.4

End of Example 1.4

The End
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Thank You!!!

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