Aluminum Channels for Cottage Stairs 1

[JrStructuralEng]

Hi all,

I have not done aluminum design before. I need a couple aluminum channels sized for my cottage. Approx 2.5ft wide section of stairs that is very steep (close to ladder steep) and approximately 9ft tall.

I want to use two aluminum channels each side of stairs and bolt small horizontal pieces of aluminum angle to each side in order to attach treads made out of trex deck or wood planking. The idea is to make it light construction for easy removal in winter.

Any idea for reference design manuals for aluminum or if someone knows what size of channel will work? I want it to be fairly rigid and not real wobbly or susceptible to denting (although most light weight aluminum is) I was thinking either a standard c-channel shape or a cold rolled steel section. I don’t really want to buy a design manual in order to size two channels so if someone has a supplier reference or anything else that would be great too. Thanks!

 

[Ron]

Your stairs should meet code requirements...you're apparently an engineer and you might not be the last owner of the cottage. You don't want the grief of putting something in that doesn't comply with code.

Having said that, you will be looking at 100 psf design and a wider tread than 2.5'. That will put your channel into the 10" to 12" depth range, using 6061-T6 or 6063-T6 allows.

You might consider calling this a ladder rather than stairs. That might get you past the code issues. That would leave you with the 2.5' width, but you still need to design for 100 psf or more. The depth reduction of the channel won't be that much either.

 

[JrStructuralEng]

12" channel...seems a little stiff don't you think?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

How about buying one of those "pull down" stairs available many places and show cased in Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation.

Cheap - easy to instal, etc....

 

[BAretired]

You could buy an aluminum Ship Ladder. Check this link:

http://www.google.com/search?q=ship...id=gd&rls=IRFA,IRFA:2008-01,IRFA:en&aq=t&aq=t

BA

 

[IFRs]

I'd use 3" or 4" Aluminum Association channel. It is 6061-T6 and should be quite strong enough. Why not just buy an aluminum ladder from a hardware store?

 

[MikeHalloran]

If it really has to be steep, consider a Lapeyre Stair:

http://www.lapeyrestair.com/

( no affiliation )


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA