The instructor is well prepared and knows his subject. His sketches and details are easy to understand and follow the subject very well.

Purpose and Background

This webinar covers commonly debated topics related to the design of steel stairs, handrails, and guardrails. Steel stairs and rails are common in all sorts of buildings from offices to industrial facilities. Some installations are rather straightforward and others are not. In many cases, these structures are shown only on the architectural drawings, with at best a cursory review given by structural engineers. Many design professionals consider structural design of stairs and rails rather standard, but in reality the design assumptions and procedures are far from uniform. As a result, the designs found in some drawings could be improved.

One can often tell whether an architect or an engineer designed the stair by looking at the sizes of the stair stringers and the connections of stringers to walls. Another common issue is the size of the rail posts and the method of their attachment to the stringers. This webinar covers these and many other commonly debated topics related to the design of steel stairs, handrails, and guardrails (do you know the difference between the last two?). Proven design details and practical examples illustrate the discussion.

An experienced design engineer, who was once a manager of a fabrication shop where stairs and rails were made, conducts the presentation.

Learning Outcomes

• Know how to perform structural design of steel stairs
• Find out which common designs of stair treads may be assumed to provide lateral bracing for steel stair stringers and which might not
• Learn the difference between a guardrail and a handrail and how to design both

Webinar Benefits

• Discover the design assumptions used for steel stairs
• Find out which methods of attaching stair stringers to supporting columns and masonry walls should be avoided
• Learn about designing steel stairs for complex applications
• Explore practical design details for supporting rail posts at the base and which common detail may result in a problematic performance
• Discuss how to apply the design loading to the railings and guardrails and how to consider the effects of the adjacent spans

Intended Audience

Structural and civil engineers, architects, contractors, and building officials seeking to broaden their knowledge of structural design of steel stairs and rails will benefit from this webinar.

Webinar Outline

• The challenges of designing steel stairs
• Common design assumptions for steel stairs
• Design details for stair attachment to supports
• Stair design for difficult applications 
• Design provisions for guardrails and handrails 
• Attachments of rail posts at the base