What Does A Helical Staircase Mean In Construction?
What Does A Helical Staircase Mean In Construction?
A helical staircase is a type of staircase that follows the directrix of a full helix in three-dimensional space. It typically follows a circular path and revolves around a central axis, which can be empty or occupied by other non-structural elements of the staircase.
This is different from a spiral staircase, which has steps anchored to a central column. The handrail for a helical staircase is usually included on the outside of the stairs. Helical staircases are known for their craftsmanship and intricate designs.
What Is A Spiral Vs Helical Staircase?
The main difference between a spiral staircase and a helical staircase is the central column. A spiral staircase has a central column that supports the treads, while a helical staircase has treads supported to avoid having a central column.
The geometric shape of the stairs also differs, with the spiral staircase developing in a spiral around an axis and the helical staircase winding around a void.
Additionally, helical staircases are often more expensive than spiral staircases due to their complex design.
What Are The Structural Details Of The Helical Staircase?
A helical staircase is a curved staircase that follows the directrix of a full helix. It typically follows a circular path and revolves around a central axis that is empty or occupied by other non-structural elements. The cross-section of a helical staircase can be round, oval, elliptical, or curved.
When designing a helical staircase, factors such as dimensions, configuration, and materials must be considered. Helical staircases offer space saving in planning and building staircases compared to conventional stairs.
Reinforced concrete helical staircases can be in two forms: A helical staircase with a waist and Slabless (saw-tooth) helical staircase. The construction of these two types of helical staircases presents their own different challenges to a contractor.
When constructing a reinforced concrete helical staircase, it is important to use locally available materials and tools.
Famous examples of helical staircases include those found in exclusive villas or commercial buildings like hotels or representative office entrance halls. Siller Stairs offers custom designs for helical stairs made to measure according to one’s imagination or architect’s plans.
What Is The Difference Between Circular And Helical?
The main difference between a helix and a spiral is that a helix is a three-dimensional curve with an axis, where the tangent line makes a constant angle with the axis. A spiral, on the other hand, does not need to have this property and is typically a two-dimensional curve.
The helical motion describes the movement performed by an object that follows a circular path (which rotates) around an axis while moving along the axis, whereas rotational motion describes the movement made by an object that follows a circular path (which rotates) around an axis without moving on the axis.
Helical staircases are more modified in their shape than spiral staircases as they do not have a central column.
Additionally, helical staircases can be either right-handed or left-handed and are also known as curved staircases. Spiral staircases, on the other hand, have a central column and are typically used for thread milling straight threads.
How Are Helical Staircases Supported?
Helical staircases are supported by two curved stringers with treads attached between them. Unlike spiral staircases, helical staircases do not require a central supporting pillar, allowing for handrails on both sides of the staircase.
The lack of need for props or wall support allows the helix stairs to stand alone as a sculptural feature. Helical staircases tend to require a large space and a sizeable opening on the floor to accommodate them.
They are commonly fabricated with structural steel which is exposed and serves as a decorative element. Additionally, they can be made to form an oval or elliptical shape configuration.
