Concrete Staircase and Its Formwork: A Comprehensive Guide

This presentation provides a comprehensive look into the construction of concrete staircases, from initial design to formwork, reinforcement, and finishing. It covers:

Types of Concrete Staircases: Various designs, including straight flight, quarter-turn, dog-legged, and more, are explained, each with unique characteristics and suitable applications.

Formwork Essentials: Detailed steps on building formwork, ensuring stability, and positioning steel reinforcements, with insights into minimizing material waste.

Construction Process: Step-by-step guidelines, including standard dimensions, foundation setup, and concrete pouring techniques to create durable stair structures.

Innovative Approaches: Features advanced options such as floating and precast concrete stairs, highlighting advantages in installation time, safety, and design flexibility.

Case Studies: Includes real-world examples, showcasing dog-legged stairs and floating concrete designs with modern materials and finishes.

This presentation is ideal for students, architects, and engineers interested in practical, structural, and aesthetic aspects of concrete staircase design and construction.

1. PRESENTATION ON
Presented by:-

Kartabya Regmi
Roll No:- 18
Concrete Staircase and
it’s Formwork

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01Concrete Staircase
Introduction
Parts
Types

03Other Info
Types of Finishes
Advantages and Limitations
Site Work
Construction Process
Formwork
Reinforcements
Railings


Case Study and Research
Own Residence
Innovation
Conclusion

02
04
2

3. Introduction
❏The simplest type of staircase

❏Supported at its ends by beams, and
steps are formed on its upper surface

❏A horizontal landing slab may be
included at one or both ends
3
Source:- https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/construction/the-stairway-story_o

4. 4
LANDING
Space provided between the two
flights as the rest and also to
change the direction.
BALUSTER
Vertical member
which gives support
to the handrail.
NEWEL
Vertical support that is placed at
the end and the top of the flight
and it connects the handrail.
4
STRINGER
Inclined member which supports
the steps in the case of stairs.
PITCH
Angle between the
stair with the floor.
Given by Rise/Run.
SOFFIT
The visible sloping under-surface
between stair strings.
WAIST
The thickness of
the structural slab
in RCC Staircase
HANDRAIL
An inclined rail over
the string. Provided
for support when
someone going up
or down
Source:- https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/
https://dreamcivil.com/parts-of-a-staircase/

5. 5
TREAD
Part of the stairway in which we
step on. Also the horizontal
distance of a step.
RISER
Vertical member
between each tread
in a staircase.
NOSING
An extended part of tread beyond
the riser. Most traffic of the foot
land on the nosing area.
GOING
Distance between two
consecutive risers excluding the
distance of nosing
SCOTIA
Placed below the
nosing and tread to
improve it’s strength
RISE
Distance between two successive
treads
Source:- https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/
https://dreamcivil.com/parts-of-a-staircase/

6. Types of Staircase: Designs
Straight Flight Stairs
6
Quarter Turn Stairs
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings
https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-stairs
https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/

7. Types of Staircase: Designs
7
Dog-Legged Stairs Open Newel Stairs
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings
https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-stairs
https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/

8. Types of Staircase: Designs
3 Quarter Turn Stairs
8
Bifurcated Stairs
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings
https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-stairs
https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/

9. Types of Staircase: Designs
9
Geometrical Stairs
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings
https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-stairs
https://civilarcho.com/parts-of-stair/
Circular or Spiral Stairs

10. Types of Staircase: Direction of RCC Slab
10Source:- https://civilengineering-softstudies.com/1714-different-categories-of-rcc-stairs-theory-with-diagram.html
Stair with slab spanning
longitudinally
Stair with slab spanning
horizontally
Stringer Beam cantilever slab

11. Step 1: Designing
❏Height of the floor
❏Width of the stairs
❏Risers depth and tread width
❏Thickness of stairs
❏Angle of stairs
❏Load applied on the stairs
❏and many other aspects
11
Construction Process
❏Tread - 9 - 9.25 Inch
❏Riser - 7.5 – 8.25 Inch
❏Width - 3 Feet
❏Flight Angle - 30 - 45 Degree
Standard Dimensions
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

12. Step 2: Foundation and Support
❏Foundation properly constructed so that the
loads of the stairs are transferred in to ground
successfully and to resist the movement of stairs
❏If plinth beam present at the start of the stairs
- Reinforcement steel bars connected to them
which will transfer the loads
❏If no plinth beam - Small concrete foundation or
size stone masonry is constructed
12
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

13. ❏The angle of flight, dimensions of tread and
riser properly checked
❏Line of flight , thread and risers are marked on
the wall for proper fixing of shuttering or
formwork if stairs are attached to wall
❏Boards - at least 2" thick
❏Whole structure of the form supported by 4×4
posts
13
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

Step 3: Building the Formwork

14. Formwork
❏ ¾ inch plywood to build the forms
❏May also use 2x6s or 2x8s to construct the
concrete stairs form
❏Once you do the side forms, place and plumb
them and then drive the 2×4 stakes on the outside
into the ground to hold them in their place
❏Attach the risers on the side using screws and
nails
❏Stake it, set it in place, and level them using laser
or builders level



14
Source:- https://constructionmanuals.tpub.com/14043/css/Stair-Forms-180.htm

15. 15

16. ❏Reinforced with steel bars to carry the loads
coming upon the stairs and transfer them to
the ground
❏No. of steel bars and size of the bars to be
calculated depending upon the loads coming
on the stairs
❏These steel reinforcement bars are placed in
the formwork with minimum of 25 mm
spacing and is tied together
16
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

Step 4: Steel Reinforcement

17. ❏Started from the below part
❏3 parts cement, 2 parts sand, 4 parts gravel and
water
❏Concrete vibrator used to pour the concrete to
completely fill the gaps of the stairs
❏Any sudden movements can disturb the
alignment of the formworks or even collapse
the formwork
17
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

Step 5: Pouring of Concrete

18. The formwork before and after concrete pouring
18

19. ❏At least 21 days to dry out completely
❏In these 21 days, proper curing is to done to
prevents the cracks in stairs due to thermal
expansion
❏Formwork is removed by using a hammer and
a crowbar
19
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

Step 6: Removal of Formwork

20. ❏The stairs can be finished in many ways as per
the requirement of the use
❏Can just be finished using trowel or float to give
concrete finish
❏Ensure that the concrete is dry so that there is
no visible water on its surface
❏Use broom to drag it on the surface and give
the floor a non-skid texture
20
Construction Process
Source:- https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/concrete-stairs-construction/26064/?amp=1
https://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/
https://civilengineerfriend.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-construct-concrete-stairs.html

Step 7: Finishing

21. Railings/Balustrade
❏Usually of metal in R.C.C stairs
❏Uprights should be bolted through the thickness
of the flights and landings to provide maximum
rigidity
❏Bolted with nuts and washers through the depth
of the stair
❏May be secured by expanding bolts to the side of
stairs or having mortice cut in the vertical end for
alternatives



21
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings

22. Types of Finishes
Concrete/Cement Finish
22
Granite Finish
Source:- https://en-n.decorexpro.com/lestnica/otdelka-betonnyh/

23. Types of Finishes
Paint Finish
23
Wood Finish
Source:- https://en-n.decorexpro.com/lestnica/otdelka-betonnyh/

24. Types of Finishes
Marble Finish
24
Carpet Finish
Source:- https://en-n.decorexpro.com/lestnica/otdelka-betonnyh/

25. Finishes: Detail
25
Source:- Book - Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings
❏Concrete stairs are given an applied
finish to create a surface that is easy to
clean and is visually more attractive
❏Insitu or precast terrazzo is often used
for its appearance and ease of cleaning
❏With carborundum inserts as a
non-slip surface

26. ADVANTAGES LIMITATIONS
Better fire resistant than any other stairs
Staircase designs made from concrete are often
bulky
Adequately strong and more durable
Must provide proper support using a frame to
prevent the cracks from developing in the
concrete
Can be given any shape easily by properly
designing the formwork
Concrete edges on the steps can chip over time
and repairing small chips and cracks is often
difficult
Designed for greater widths and longer spans
Casting concrete into moulds and waiting for it
to dry is a time-consuming process
Can be easily cleaned
Can be precast or cast-in-situ
Only stairs which can be used in high rise
framed structures

26
Source:-https://dailycivil.com/rcc-stairs-advantages/
https://www.zameen.com/blog/pros-cons-building-materials-stairs.html

27. Own Residence
❏R.C.C. Staircase
❏Design Type:- Dog-Legged Stairs
❏Stair with slab spanning longitudinally
❏No. of risers:- 16
❏No. of treads:- 14 and one landing
❏Railing Material:- Stainless Steel
❏Finishing Material:- Marble
27
Case Study

28. 28
Case Study
Sectional View of the Floor

29. 29
Case Study
Plan of the Staircase
Section of the Staircase
Detail View

30. 30
Case Study

31. ❏Self supporting concrete stair
❏1500mm wide, 60-100mm thick
❏Different artificial materials and fiber in the
right combination
❏Fixation at the wall side is tricky and was
realized with a custom made steel structure
hidden behind a tinted glass wall
❏Can withstand the load of 350 kg
31
Innovations
Source:- https://www.stairs-siller.com/floating-stairs/concrete-design/

Floating Concrete Staircase

32. 32
Innovations
Source:- https://www.granddesignstairs.com/floating-stairs/

Detailing

33. 33
Innovations
Detailing
Source:- https://www.granddesignstairs.com/floating-stairs/

34. ❏Cost-efficient and quality products that
are easy and quick to install on the
construction site.
❏Eliminates the need for complicated
formwork and propping of the casted
structure if made cast-in-situ
❏Flights and landings of the straight stair
can be cast as separate elements or
combined in one piece
34
Innovations
Source:- https://www.elematic.com/precast-products/stairs/#:~:text=Precast%20concrete%20stairs%20are%20cost,made%20cast-in-situ .

Precast Concrete Staircase

35. ADVANTAGES
❏Safe and durable
❏Fire, thermal and acoustic
benefits
❏Variety of surface finishing
❏Fast to install
❏Less work and waste
35
Innovations
Precast Concrete Staircase
Source:- https://www.elematic.com/precast-products/stairs/#:~:text=Precast%20concrete%20stairs%20are%20cost,made%20cast-in-situ .

36. Cast-in-situ Concrete Stairs Precast Concrete Stairs
Tedious and expensive formwork before casting Saving money and time regarding formwork
Takes at least a week to get ready Ready to be stepped on from day 1
Typically confined to two finishes – grey
concrete and exposed aggregate
Multiple finishes and colour available
No problem of transportation because of on-site
preparation
The precast units may be damaged during
transport
Gives proper strength and bond
May not give satisfactory bond between precast
elements and in-situ elements
36
Source:-https://www.sandersonconcrete.ca/blog/ready-mix-concrete-steps-vs-precast-concrete-stairs
https://www.networx.com/article/concrete-steps-precast-vs-poured-in-pl

37. Conclusion
❏Commonly used for a reason
❏People feel safe and secured using
concrete staircase
❏INNOVATION or CONTINUATION ?
37

38. THANK
YOU!
38