2. Materials

2.1 General

Various materials can be used for staircase construction, both for load-bearing structures and for treads and landings.

Historically, manufacturers have chosen :

• stone or brick in the form of vaults to ensure the stability of the flights;

• then wood in the form of load-bearing elements (stringers) for steps, risers and railings;

  And later :

• metal, generally in the form of straight flights, and in modern architecture with daring designs (spiral stringers);

• reinforced concrete, currently the most widely used material, as it can be used for virtually any type and shape. The...