[Construction & Technology] Assignment 2b: Site study

On this assignment, we were required to pick a location/site and to study structural elements that could be found on that site. We've picked a residential place in Denai Alam.

We've decided to choose a few structural elements to be studied. Firstly, from the extension porch at the side of the house, the columns, slab, and sliding door can be found. Secondly, the wall located at the living room area of the house, which consists of walls, columns and openings (door and windows.). And third, the staircase as the final structural element.

While two of the group members have picked the first 2 area, I've chosen the staircase as my subject.

The staircase is a Double L-shaped stairs, which is also known as quarter landing stairs, where there's 2 landings, and each landing changes the direction of the stairs by 90 degrees. This stair has a total of  19 risers and 17 treads. 

Installation/construction:

Since this is a concrete staircase, it is made by first laying out the reinforcement steel bars, and then the wooden formwork where the risers are placed adjacent to it (supported by the stringer)

http://debug.pi.gr/Default.aspx?ch=70

http://www.pfsolutions.ie/images/sce/stairs.jpg

Then, concrete is poured into the formwork. The concrete is left to be cured, and after it does, the wooden formwork is then removed. 

http://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/

http://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/

Then finishes (paint, laminated flooring etc) are added to the stairs.

Reinforcement steel bars are inserted during the making of formwork to allow the staircase to bear the tension applied.

Quarter landing stairs are generally more safer than straight stairs as the falling distance is shorter compared to straight stairs, but it takes up more area. Landings in the staircase also provide a resting place for occupants to take a break (especially elderly) while climbing up or down the stairs.