In this investigation the available conventional methods of analysis of helicoidal stair slab have been critically studied. It is revealed that these methods fail to address the inherent structural efficiency derived from helicoidal shape of the stair. To this end finite element approach is introduced in this study to investigate the actual behaviour of helicoidal stair slab with intermediate landing at mid span without any geometric idealization. Eight-node curved thick shell element is used to analyze helicoidal stair slab. The results of six stress components obtained from conventional helical girder (Morgan Approach) method have been compared with those of FEM results. This comparative study reveals that the more exact analysis of the helicoids can be possible in the FE method and subsequently some extent of economy can he attained in the structural design and construction of the helicoidal stair slab.
展开▼
