References: ACI Code / Structural Concrete, Theory and Design (Copyright 1998), By M.

Nadim Hassoun

Design of Stairs
There are many types of stairs. Each one has its own usage & properties.
This program will design a general case which looks something like the drawing below.

Usually the length for run varies between 25 to 33 cm, and 15 to 20 cm for Rises.
Stairs must be designed for the worst case. In case of emergency, usually people use stairs
to evacuate a building. Therefore, it can be crowded and Carrying a big load (Load of people=L.L).
Slope of the stairs should be between 30 to 40 degrees.

TYPICAL UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED DESIGN LOADS

DESIGN LIVE LOAD
OCCUPANCY CONTENTS lb/ft2 Kg/m2
Assembly hall Fixed seats 60 290
Movable seats 100 480
Hospital Operating rooms 60 290
Private rooms 40 190
Hotel Guest rooms 40 190
Puplic rooms 100 480
Balconies 100 480
Housing Private houses and apartments 40 190
Puplic rooms 100 480
Institution Classrooms 100 480
Corridors 100 480
Library Reading rooms 60 290
Stack rooms 150 720
Office Building Offices 50 240
Lobbies 100 480
Stairs (or balconies) 100 480
Storage Warehouses Light 100 480
Heavy 250 1200
Yards and terraces 100 480

Page 1 of 5
Project Name
Subject Design of Stairs
Element Number Stair-case No.1
Done By YOUR LOGO
Date 1/3/2020 15:41

Insert fc' = 30 Mpa

Insert fy = 420 Mpa
Insert the Concrete Density = 2500 Kg/m3
Insert Live Load = 480 Kg/m2
Insert Rise height = 17 cm
Insert Run width = 30 cm
Insert the Slope of the stair (in degrees) = 35
Assume the thickness of the slab (waist) = 20 cm

Weight of one step = 246.8664 Kg/Step

Then Average weight per meter = 822.8879 Kg/m
Weight of Landing = 500 Kg/m
(For 1 meter wide)
Insert the weight of step cover = 3 Kg/m
Then, the Dead Load on Stairs = 825.8879 Kg/m
And the Dead Load on Landing = 503 Kg/m
Wu (on the Stairs) = 1972.243 Kg/m
Wu (on Landings) = 1520.2 Kg/m
Because the load on the landing is carried into two directions, only half of the load will be
considered in each direction.
0.5Wu(on landings) = 760.1 Kg/m 1972.243 Kg/m
760.1
Landing Length ( I ) = 1 m Kg/m
Stair Length ( II ) = 3 m
Then Total Length = 5 m
Taking Moment @ A = 0
Reaction @ A (Kg) = 1746.222 Kg
Reaction @ B (Kg) = 1746.222 Kg

Page 2 of 5
Project Name
Subject Design of Stairs
Element Number Stair-case No.1
Done By YOUR LOGO
Date 1/3/2020 15:41

Maximum Bending Moment & Steel Reinforcement

Moment @ Midspan
Mu = 626.5804 Kg.m

d = Slab thickness - Concrete Cover - (0.5 bar diameter " can be ignored")
Insert Concrete Cover (in cm.) = 2 cm
d= 18 cm
Mu = Ø As fy (d - a/2) = Ø As fy (d - As fy / 1.7 fc' b) Where a = As fy / 0.85 fc' b
Then:
3.11E+08 (As)^2 - 6804000 As + 626.5804 = 0

Hence, As = 0.021765 m² or 21764.66 mm² 33.74366 in2

As = 9.248E-05 m² or 92.48131 mm² 0.143382 in2
a = 1.523222 mm 0.059969 in
As = 92.48131 mm2

Minimum As = 666.6667 mm2

Then, As (Used) = 666.6667 mm2

Insert the Bar No. = 12

Then, Diameter = 11.63 mm
Area = 106.2308 mm2
No. of Bars needed = 6 Per Unit meter
Total No. of Bars = 22 Spaced @ 17 cm

Transverse reinforcement must be provided to account for shrinkage.

As = 0.0018 x b x d As = 360 mm2/m
Insert the Bar No. = 10
The Diameter (mm) = 9.5 mm
Area = 70.88235 mm2
No. of Bars needed = 5
Total No. of Bars = 18 Spaced @ 20 cm

Minimum Slab thickness for deflection = L/25 which = 20 cm

But this is for simply supported slab. In our case, we can assume L/28
Therefore, Minimum slab thickness (cm) = 18 cm Where Assumed = 20 cm
Slab Thickness Assumed is O.K

Page 3 of 5
Project Name
Subject Design of Stairs
Element Number Stair-case No.1
Done By YOUR LOGO
Date 1/3/2020 15:41

Design of Landing 760.1 Kg/m

Assume it to be simply supported.
Maximumu Bending moment = 95.0125 Kg.m
Bars in the landing will be placed at the
top of the main reinforcement.
d is almost the same as previously: 1 m

Mu = Ø As fy (d - a/2) = Ø As fy (d - As fy / 1.7 fc' b) Where a = As fy / 0.85 fc' b

Then:
3.11E+08 (As)^2 - 6804000 As + 95.0125 = 0

Hence, As = 0.021843 m² or 21843.17 mm² 33.86538 in2

As = 1.397E-05 m² or 13.97315 mm² 0.021664 in2
a = 0.230146 mm 0.009061 in
As = 13.97315 mm2

Minimum As = 666.6667 mm2 Checking the shear

Then, As (Used) = 666.6667 mm2 Width of the stairs = 1 m
Vu = 1617.239 Kg
Insert the Bar No. = 12 ØVc = 14246.26 Kg
The Diameter (mm) = 11.63 No shear Reinf. is required, minimum is recommended
Area = 106.2308 mm2
No. of Bars needed = 6 Per Unit meter
Total No. of Bars = 6 Spaced @ 17 cm

30cm

17cm No.12
No.12 No.10 Spaced @
Spaced @ 20cm 17cm
17cm No.10
Spaced @
No.12 20cm
Spaced @
17cm
No.12
Spaced @
17cm
1m 3m 1m

Page 4 of 5
Price : 10 US $

Page 5 of 5