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Charlie

Mar 21, 2002, 7:49 PM

Post #1 of 3 (5776 views)

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Concrete stairway

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We are planning to start the construction of a stairway on a lot that has a near vertical face next to the road for the first 10 feet of elevation, after which it rounds to merely steep. The building pad at the top is probably 35 feet above street level with a hell of a view. It is a difficult build for sure, knowing full well that all materials will have to be carried up.Other than precast stairs, that have a metal beam under them, we are wondering if if is better to cut a ramp into the hillside, (which by the way is a fractured rock) and then form concrete stairs, or would it be better to cut and chisel a stairway and face them with brick and mortar or some other facing material. Any advice or suggestions as to how to reinforce concrete in a stairway would also be appreciated. Thanks, Charlie

Carl Carlson

Mar 22, 2002, 3:07 PM

Post #2 of 3 (5775 views)

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Concrete stairway

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I'm a geologist with minor engineering background. My preference would be to excavate a rectangular hole and have a mason or concrete mason build a stair for the first 10 feet. Above that, I would excavate any loose material and build steps on top of grade. Perhaps I would add a few short pieces of re-bar epoxied into the rock and buried in concrete. Alternately, I might chisel a few horizontal slots in the stone to keep the on-grade part from slipping down hill. If the stone surface were jagged, I wouldn't bother tieing the steps to the stone. Concrete would be enough. As far as re-bar in the concrete is concerned, you have to concern yourself with bending and perhaps tension. For example if one end of a step is unsupported, then some re-bar would be inorder because of bending stress. If both ends are supported and the step is not very long, I wouldn't bother to reinforce.Carl Carlson

Dutch

Mar 22, 2002, 4:17 PM

Post #3 of 3 (5774 views)

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Concrete stairway

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: We are planning to start the construction of a stairway on a lot that has a near vertical face next to the road for the first 10 feet of elevation, after which it rounds to merely steep. The building pad at the top is probably 35 feet above street level with a hell of a view. It is a difficult build for sure, knowing full well that all materials will have to be carried up.: Other than precast stairs, that have a metal beam under them, we are wondering if if is better to cut a ramp into the hillside, (which by the way is a fractured rock) and then form concrete stairs, or would it be better to cut and chisel a stairway and face them with brick and mortar or some other facing material. Any advice or suggestions as to how to reinforce concrete in a stairway would also be appreciated. Thanks, Charlie================================================Have you considered a combination of stairs and ramps, to ease the strain of uninterrupted climbing over three stories of stairs to get to your site? Or, an inclined "elevator" running on tracks set slightly above the terrain (Perhaps starting at the ten foot high elevation)? Or is it possible to buy an easement to get to the property from either side or slightly above it? Sounds like you've got a real challenge be able to take advantage of that view...Good luck!