Concrete radial Step

[EngWade]

I've been assigned to design a new step/patio area for a residential house. The client/builder want to construct it of concrete and decorative pavers. The patio is going to be a half-circle adjacent to the house. It has been suggested that we create a 4' deep footing that goes around the circumference of the patio. To me that seems over designing.

Can anyone familiar with this give me a couple tips, or direct me to a good reference. My background is not in structural design. Thanks a lot.

 

[EngWade]

One other questions I forgot to note. The code says the patio/stairs must be prevented from moving in the vertical and lateral directions. Does this mean I should attach the patio to the house foundation with anchor bolts or something? Incidently, the house is a raised ranch with outside finished grade approximately halfway up the first floor wall.

Thanks everyone.

 

[ishvaaag]

1st I, I think the requirement of outside stairs being stable in x, y and z directions I think is a general requirement of stability, only meaning that it needs be properly cared for. In my mind this not signifies any need to be attached mechanically to the house, but such might be the interpretation on another's. I don't think so; that stairs coming to some floor be someway be attached to the floor is somewhat logical, meaning the detail needs be studied and cared for, but in this case the steps seem to be in general far from any house portion to be attached to, and without any need.

2nd, to build a small number of steps surrounding a semicircle just an inclined slab on the ground may be enough. Of course one needs to care about that the soil below is strong enough; there was a time (in my early practice) I didn't do but doubly reinforced slabs on the ground, and I still think is the good practice; none raised then here a brow on this, was quite common here. Furthermore, professors at the ETSAM not even cared to point there was such thing as simply reinforced slabs on the ground. Fortunately we lived in a world of thick concrete and in general continue doing so.