CHAPTER 3

SUPERSTRUCTURE
Part 3

1
 Content

 Staircase

 Roof

2
 Superstructure

Staircase

1. Define staircase.
2. what are the stairs-functional requirements ?
3. List staircase components.

3
 Staircase
 A stair is a series of steps, each elevated a
measured distance, leading from one level of a
structure to another.

 the terms flight of stairs or run of stairs

are often used when the series is a continuous
section without breaks formed by landings or
other constructions,.

 Other terms that can be properly used for

stairs include stairway and staircase.

4
 Staircase
Stairs can be made of concrete,
stone, wood, steel or combination
of any of these.

Staircase Stairs made of wood Stairs made of steel

Constructed by reinforced concrete

5
 Staircase-Primary Functions
 Provide an access from one floor to another.

 Provide a safe means of travel between floors.

 Provide a degree of insulation as part of a separating

element between compartments in a building.

 Provide an easy mean of travel between floors.

 Provide a suitable means of escape in case of fire.

 Provide a mean of conveying furniture and fittings

between floor levels.

6
 Staircase
TYPES OF STAIRCASE CONSTRUCTION
• In-situ Single straight stairway
(simply supported, landing to landing)
• In-situ Staircase with landing
between bottom and upper floor
• Inclined slab
• String beam
• Cranked or continuous
• cantilever
7
 TYPES OF STAIRCASE CONSTRUCTION

• Spiral staircase (in-situ or pre-cast)

• Pre-cast concrete staircase

• Single straight

• Cranked

• Open riser

• Metal staircase

8
9
 STAIRCASE COMPONENTS
 Nosing: the exposed edge of a tread, usually
projecting with a square, rounded of splayed edge.
 Riser: the vertical member between two
consecutive treads.
 Step: Riser plus tread.
 Flight: a series of steps without a landing.
 Newel: post forming the junction of flights of
stairs with landings.
 Strings: the members receiving the ends of steps
which are generally housed to the string; called wall
or outer strings according to their position.
 Handrail: protecting member usually parallel to the
string and spanning between newels.
 Baluster/panel: the vertical infill member between
a string and handrail.

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
 Reinforced Concrete Staircase

26
 R.C Staircase Construction-cast-in situ

27
 Pre-Cast Concrete Staircase
Pre-cast concrete staircase advantages
• better quality control of the finish product
• saving site space (no storage for FW and fabrication)
• stairway enclosing shaft can be utilized as a space for
hoisting or lifting materials during the major
construction period
• can be positioned and fixed by semi skilled operators

Pre-cast concrete staircase available in:

• Single flight stairs
• Cranked slab stairs
• Open riser stairs
• Spiral stairs

28
 R.C Staircase Construction-pre cast

29
30
 ROOF

Superstructure

31
 ROOF
 Highest part of building structure.
 Main functions:
- To protects the occupants -keep out from rain, wind, snow, dust etc.
- To prevent excessive heat loss in winter, and to keep the interior of
the building cool in the summer.
- Provide ventilation system to the building.
- Act as moisture, heat and noise resistance.
- To accommodate all stress encountered (load bearing member)
- To accept movement due to changes in temperature and moisture
content

32
 Types of Roof:-
 Flat roofs : 0 – 10o
 Steep/Pitched roofs : > 10o

33
 ROOF SELECTION FACTORS
Type of
Building
Possible
future
Durability
modification
s

Selection
Factors
Resistance
Economic
to Heat

Light
Aesthetic
Protection

34
 FLAT ROOF
 Flat Roof
 Gradient of less than 10◦
 Slopes depends on types of roof covers
 Low heat transfer and resistance

 Flat Roofs are usually selected for one or

more of three reasons;
 aesthetic design,
 provision of a promenade roof /deck
 ease of covering for structures of complex plan.

35
36
37
 FLAT ROOF
Advantages

1) Design
• the design of choice for smaller structures, such as garages and extensions.
• represent the most efficient use of urban space, offer architectural freedom,
•control of the down flow of water to the drainage system and energy savings.

2) Cost
 Flat roofing considered more affordable option at the point of construction.
 Involves considerably less materials and labour than a pitched roof.
 Full replacement of the roof, if needed, can be completed in a single day.

38
 FLAT ROOF
Advantages

3) Materials
Traditionally flat roofs have been constructed from asphalt or three-ply
modified bitumen (also known as felt flat roofing) with a thin layer of
gravel to protect the roof from the harmful effects of UV sunlight.

A more recent and increasingly popular design is Ethylene Propylene

Diene Monomer (EPDM), a 3mm thick rubber membrane which can be
applied seamlessly in one piece and offers a lifespan of more than 40
years (compared to the 20 years for felt flat roofing).

39
 FLAT ROOF
Disadvantages

Maintenance

Lifespan of flat roof are only 20 years.

Regular maintenance of the roof is needed due to cracking and

leakage.

40
 PITCHED ROOF
A slope of over 10◦ of the horizontal line.
Slopes depends on types of roof cover
Roof shapes depends on loading and span
Provide space for extra services, e.g.: water tank.
Found in many forms, among which are:
Gable Roof
Mansard Roof
Hip Roof
Shed Roof
Butterfly Roof
Gambrel Roof
41
 TYPES OF PITCH ROOF

42
 ADVANTAGES PITCHED ROOF
(1) Loft Space
 Pitched roofs, which have at least two slopes that rise to meet at a peak, are
constructed in such a way as to afford plenty of usable space in the loft area.
(2) Lifespan
 The pitched roof, if constructed properly, is almost certain to offer a much
longer lifespan than a flat roof, with materials that are more durable and
weather resistant.
(3) Natural
 Installing a pitched roof also means the building can be more effectively
blended in to either the rest of the property (in the case of an extension) or to
neighbouring buildings, while also helping to retain a sense of individuality and
character.
43
 PITCHED ROOF
Disadvantages
Expensive
increased expense, as the more complex design, additional
building materials and extra man-hours cost significantly
more than a flat roof.
Foundations
place a greater burden on the foundations of the building
and this may have implications for the depth of the footings.

44
 ROOF CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
How to construct a roof
- Setting out
- Install soffit beam and follow by side formwork
- Install rebar
- Inspection
- Concreting
- Install services
- Install trusses, heat insulation and roof tiles
- Finally, install ceiling

45
 ROOF TRUSS
A truss is a framed or jointed structure.

Jointed together with the aid of galvanised

mild steel nail plate connectors.

The truss comprises rafters, struts, ties and

ceiling joist (often called a ceiling tie).

46
 ROOF TRUSS
Advantages:

Much faster and more economical to use

prefabricated trusses in place of rafters and joists.

It takes significantly less labour than stick framing.

A truss will span a greater distance without a

bearing wall.
47
 ROOF TRUSS DESIGNS

48
 TYPICAL ROOF TRUSS

49
 ROOF TRUSS

50
51
 RIDGE BOARDS

COMMON
RAFTERS

VALLEY JACK RAFTERS

VALLEY RAFTER
HIP RAFTERS HIP JACK RAFTERS

52
 Roofs Members
Ridge:
the spine of the roof;
the apex line of the sloping roof;
the apex of the angle formed by the termination of the
inclined surfaces at the top of a slope.
Common Rafters:
the main load bearing members of a roof;
the span is between a wall plate at eaves level and the
ridge.
Hip:
it is the ridge formed by the intersection of two sloping
surfaces.
Hipped End:
53
it is the sloped triangular surface formed at the end of a
 Roofs Members
Jack Rafters: these full fil the same functions as
common rafters but span from ridge to valley rafter or
from hip rafter to wall plate.
Hip Rafters: similar to a ridge but forming the spine
of an external angle and similar to a rafter spanning
from ridge to wall plate.
Valley Rafters: as hip rafter but forming an internal
angle.
Wall Plate: these provide the bearing and fixing
medium for the various roof members and distribute
the loads evenly over the supporting walls; they are
bedded in cement mortar on top of the walls.
54
 Roofs Members
Ceiling Joists: these fulfill the dual function of acting as ties
to the feet of pairs of the rafters and providing support for the
ceiling boards on the underside and any cisterns housed
within the roof void.
Purlins: these are horizontal wooden or steel members, used
to support common rafters of a roof when span is large.
 Struts: these are compression members which transfer the
load of a purlin to a suitable load bearing support within the
span of the roof.
Collars: these are extra ties to give additional strength and are
placed at purlin level.
55
 Roofs Members
Eaves: the lowest edge which overhangs the wall thus giving the
wall a degree protection; also fixing medium for the rainwater
gutter.
Two types:
Open eaves
Closed eaves

56
 Roofs Members
Verge: the edge of a gable,
running between the eaves
and ridge.
Eaves board or fascia
board: wooden board fixed
to the common rafters at the
eaves.
Barge board: timber board
used to hold common rafter
forming verge.

57
 THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION

End of Chapter 2

58