Making reinforced concrete stairs with your own hands – a step-by-step plan

Although making reinforced concrete stairs may seem like a difficult project, it can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project if you have the right supplies and plan. Because it is robust and long-lasting, reinforced concrete is the best material for stairs that will see a lot of use.

We’ll walk you through every stage of the procedure in this guide, from setting up the site to adding the finishing touches. Whether you’re building stairs for an interior staircase or an outdoor patio, knowing the fundamentals will help you produce a result that is durable and strong.

Everything you require to set up your forms, mix and pour the concrete, and install the reinforcement will all be covered. You can make sure that your concrete stairs are both aesthetically pleasing and functional by following these steps.

Step	Description
1	Plan your staircase layout, including dimensions and design.
2	Prepare the site by clearing the area and setting up formwork.
3	Install reinforcement bars (rebar) in the formwork for added strength.
4	Mix and pour concrete into the formwork, ensuring it"s evenly distributed.
5	Smooth the surface of the concrete and let it cure for the recommended time.
6	Remove the formwork and check the stairs for any imperfections.

Types of reinforced concrete stairs

Stairs made of reinforced concrete that are prefabricated and monolithic can be made from standard blocks that are produced in factories. They are cantilevered, modular, and constructed on stringers and bowstrings.

Products can be identified by their intended use, such as emergency, service, fire, etc. d.

Application area

The cost of individual monolithic products, such as stringers, steps, and platforms, can be decreased due to the widespread use of concrete in construction projects and the industrial production of reinforced concrete products. Not only is it now feasible to build reinforced concrete stairs for a home in Moscow, but most of Russia’s populated areas can also do so using prefabricated components.

Production facilities produce flights with and without frieze steps, half-landings, and platforms that are ribbed and flat. They can be positioned directly in any area of the space or in separate stairwells.

Products are utilized in small private homes, townhomes, cottages, apartments, and industrial spaces.

GOSTs (9818-85, 8717.0-84) regulate steps, intermediate platforms, and mixture composition in addition to strength, dimensions, and reinforcement.

The most popular flight designs, which have 10 steps and are manufactured in batches of 3 to 18. In order to ensure ease of use and compliance with fire safety standards, a minimum width of 0.9 meters is permitted.

When producing products made of reinforced concrete on an independent basis, modifications and additions to the design are possible. Manufactured products include both separate, robust metal frames that serve as the foundation for individual products and monolithic structures with floor slabs.

The breadth and height of your DIY concrete steps should be selected to make them practical for all household members, but especially for elderly, disabled, and young people.

Characteristics and advantages

Apart from the fact that a reinforced concrete staircase can be designed in any unique shape, reinforced concrete products also offer the following benefits:

1. They are used to rigidly tie together different parts of the building frame.
2. They are easily finished with different materials: stone, wood, plastic, decorative plaster, tiles.
3. They are almost not affected by moisture.
4. They are highly wear-resistant, do not creak, do not sag.
5. They are good sound insulators.
6. Do not burn.
7. Resistant to chemicals, mold, fungus.
8. Harmless to human health.
9. Compared to wood and metal, they have greater durability.

The cost of the materials—sand, crushed stone, reinforcement, waterproofing, formwork, and ties—must be considered when estimating the cost of building reinforced concrete structures.

Staircases made of concrete are heavy. When planning the building’s foundation, this should be taken into account in the computations.

It takes a lot of work to install the structure. Technological pauses must continue in order for the material to become stronger.

How to build a staircase

Every building project starts with a project. The primary factors that SNiP states need to be taken into account when calculating a flight of stairs are:

1. 160-180 mm is a convenient height of steps for use. It is selected depending on the slope of the staircase structure.
2. The number of steps is calculated from the ratio of the step height to the length of the flight.
3. A person"s foot must be completely placed on the tread. This must be taken into account when choosing the width of the tread.
4. 1200 mm is a distance that is considered comfortable so that 2 people can move along the stairs towards each other. If space allows, it is better to make the width of the flight no less than this value.
5. Railings are made 90-110 cm high.
6. For residential premises, the correct slope of the stairs is from 24 to 37°. The width of the step and the height of the riser are determined depending on it.
7. Winder steps or a turning platform with supporting posts are calculated relative to the turn of the march.

For a rotating structure, the step width should be 10 cm in the narrowest part and no more than 40 cm in the widest.

The reinforcement dictates the overall strength of the structure. It is recommended to have an additional diagram where the values of the reinforcement section are indicated and the reinforcing frame is presented, repeating the shape of the staircase.

Online calculators can be used to calculate the amount of concrete mixture. Both the type of cement used and the required grade of concrete are considered. Determine how many bags of cement there are in one m³ of mixture and its approximate mass.

It is preferable to work on the project in two planes: top and side views. Each of the key components must be presented clearly and independently.

Construction materials

You will need the following to fill the stairs (by hand):

• finished concrete mixture or sand, crushed stone, cement;
• material for the manufacture of formwork – boards or metal, fiberboard, multilayer plywood, hard plastic;
• plastic or metal reinforcement for the reinforcing frame.

Geometric formulas can be used to calculate the necessary amount of mixture. however, using the online calculator is simpler.

To accurately calculate the volume of concrete, you must be aware of:

• the length of the flight of stairs;
• the width of the flight;
• the thickness of the working slab;
• height and width of steps, their number;
• the sum of the lengths of the support platforms;
• the thickness of the support platform.

Since the operating load does not exceed the allowable limits, experts advise building a reinforcement frame for a private residence rather than reinforcing the steps themselves in order to save money.

The specific requirements of the flight design determine the amount of reinforcement required, its cross-section, and the quantity of material needed for the formwork.

There is no need for extra calculations if the project calls for the use of prefabricated reinforced concrete products. Since concrete elements are heavy and typically require the use of technical means for installation, it is necessary to decide on the installation options in this case.

Marking

The walls (wall) can be used to mark the stairs. It is necessary to make projections:

• floor;
• interfloor overlap;
• flights (stringers, bowstrings);
• platforms by height;
• support pillars;
• concrete steps.

It is imperative to indicate the stair rotational axes. Concrete is a bulky substance. As a result, the structure’s floors and foundation need to be sturdy.

Installation of formwork

The foundation is built first when building a flight of stairs. A monolithic slab is typically created in a private residence. For this:

• soil is removed to a depth of 60-80 cm;
• a sand cushion is filled and compacted, it should be at least 20 cm;
• lay a layer of crushed stone 20 × 40 in 10-20 cm;
• if the recess is not enough, then add simple formwork around the perimeter of the slab and pour in the concrete mixture.

You must eliminate air bubbles from the foundation in order to give it enough strength. It is best to use a vibration tool for this.

You will need to wait three weeks for the concrete to become stronger before erecting the complete structure. To guarantee even drying, it is a good idea to sprinkle water on the foundations from time to time.

The formwork preparation determines the beauty and geometric accuracy of the stairs. You’ll need the following supplies to make it:

1. For risers, side parts and bottom, you can use 12-18 mm waterproof plywood or edged board 25-30 mm thick.
2. The support is made of 50 × 150 mm boards and 100 × 100 mm timber.
3. Semicircular sections are formed from 9 mm waterproof plywood or thin sheet metal.
4. To make the formwork easy to disassemble, it is better to use self-tapping screws and metal corners instead of nails.

It is best to make the inner portion of the formwork as flat as possible since it will be in contact with the structure. This will guarantee that the constructed flight of stairs has a smooth surface.

1. First, the base is made using plywood and boards. The required level is set with supports from below, coinciding with the step of the step.
2. After this, the side railings are installed and reinforced with boards. Later, they are additionally connected with risers.
3. The structure is reinforced and risers are attached to the walls or side walls of the formwork.
4. After the formwork is assembled, it is checked for reliability and additional supports are installed. Using a grinding machine, unevenness is removed from the inner surface.

Reinforcement

A frame consisting of corrugated reinforcement of class A3 with a diameter greater than 12 mm is used to reinforce monolithic stair structures. It needs to be placed accurately:

• no more than 50 mm and no less than 30 mm should be left from the edge of the structure;
• the rods are placed on special supports at the bottom of the formwork;
• there should be 20-30 cm between the reinforcement bars, less is not possible, because. . this will make it difficult for the mixture to pass through;
• as a result of tying, a frame with a cell of 20-30 cm will be obtained;
• it is necessary to drill holes in the places where the structure is connected to the walls and ceiling in order to drive the reinforcement into them for tying;
• 6 mm reinforcement can be used for transverse rods.

1. A place where there is not enough concrete due to the density of the frame will contain air gaps and have reduced rigidity.
2. An excessive amount of reinforcement makes the structure heavier and creates an extra load on the foundations and walls.
3. Excessive material consumption leads to an increase in the cost of construction.

Turning sections should receive extra care because they frequently have overlays and interlacing that interfere.

The platform and the frame for two marches are put together in the same manner. The structure is made entirely of connected metal, forming a single unit.

Formwork for steps

Boards that are the same width as the step height are used to construct the formwork for the steps. They are fastened in accordance with the staircase’s construction.

For winder steps, each component needs to be made independently in the form of a trapezoid, keeping in mind the necessary step width and rotation angle.

You can fasten the formwork together in straight marching structures by laying a longitudinal strip through the middle of the boards. As a result, the steps will all be the same size and the form won’t bend under the weight of the concrete.

In cases where the march is near the wall, an extra block is used to secure the formwork for the steps on one side. Attached to the side formwork is Side 2.

Pouring concrete mixture

Before the mixture is poured, every component of the completed formwork is examined once more. If the device has flaws that cause the reinforced concrete to break under the weight of the structure, this could result in more work being done to clean up mortar spills and excessive material costs.

Take seven parts water, twenty parts sand, thirty parts crushed stone, and ten parts cement to make the solution yourself. It is preferable to use a concrete mixer for faster work in order to prevent intermediate uneven drying of the layers.

Buying a ready-made solution of at least class B30 is the best course of action. By figuring out the formwork’s internal volume, the necessary amount becomes clearer.

Tamped and leveled is the resultant surface as you work your way up from the bottom. In the event that subsidence happens, they are either filled in right away or treated the following day with a grade 500 cement solution.

Building your own reinforced concrete stairs can be a satisfying project that enhances your area’s appearance and usefulness. You will be guided through the entire process, from organizing and gathering supplies to shaping and pouring the concrete, with this step-by-step tutorial. Even if you’re new to concrete work, you can learn how to build durable stairs that improve your house or property with our step-by-step instructions and helpful advice.

Dismantling the formwork

Formwork must be removed in accordance with concrete work technology to avoid deformation and cracking of the completed flight of stairs’ elements. Maintaining the necessary humidity regime is essential because the hardened mixture will crack if it dries out.

To do this, the structure needs to be shielded from the sun and rain in the following ways when operating without a roof:

1. In the first few days, you will need an awning from a tarpaulin or film and a periodic strait of the structure with water in hot times.
2. If the weather with an air temperature is above 25 ° C, then it is recommended to cover the surface of the stairs with a burlap or sawdust to save moisture.
3. If frosts are possible, then reinforced concrete must be covered with heat -insulating materials.

Before pouring concrete, the formwork can be lubricated with oil compounds or wrapped in a polyethylene film to make the process easier to remove.

Usually, the least loaded areas of the design are the first to be disassembled. It should be remembered that corners with open edges and unmarked edges dry more quickly.

It is advised to eliminate the formwork components from top to bottom:

• Carefully remove parts, struts, stops, backups stabilizing the structure;
• Unscrew or cut staples, studs, tightening individual parts of the wire;
• Long prefabricated elements are easier to dismantle one by one, removing connecting connections;
• pay attention to the installation locations of the embedded parts, if any;
• you can use wooden wedges, which are carefully driven in from above, in case of difficulties when removing the boards.

It is best to store the removed parts right away in a dry, well-ventilated area so they can be used again.

Creating your own reinforced concrete stairs can be a satisfying project that improves the look and feel of your room. You have gained knowledge on how to properly prepare the site, build a sturdy framework, mix and pour concrete, and finish the stairs by adhering to the detailed plan.

Every step of the procedure needs meticulous attention to detail, from precisely measuring and chopping materials to making sure the concrete is mixed and dried correctly. Taking it one step at a time makes it manageable and guarantees a high-quality outcome, even though it might initially seem difficult.

The right equipment and methods can help you create stairs that look professional, are long-lasting, and visually pleasing. Always remember to abide by safety precautions and ask for help when necessary. Your hard work will pay off with a sturdy, fashionable, long-lasting set of stairs.

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