Quote:
Originally Posted by TRE Cup
Needing some engineering advice on a center spine single story staircase for new inside construction.
Each tread will be made of oak 2 inches thick, 11 deep, and 38 wide.
The treads fasten to a steel structure. So, there will be full width fastener locations top and bottom.
We want to have a clear span from bottom to top. ( floor to ceiling windows behind it)
So how thick should each tread steel platform should be? How wide and deep should the sawtooth steel center spine be? of course hand rails need to be installed
We want it rigid enough so there isn't the vibrations that come from thinner structures
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I believe what you are referring to is called a "mono-stringer" or "single-stringer" or "center-stringer" type of floating staircase design (that might help with your web searching).
On the ones I've seen, the platforms that the treads attach to are relatively small, which is likely on purpose to help achieve the "floating plank" effect.
I can't help with the engineering aspect, but I do know there are several modular and/or pre-fab kits available out there.
You might look into going that route, as all of the engineering has been worked out and install is DIY-able.
Regarding vibrations, it's probably going to be a challenge to completely eliminate the hollow ringing/tuning-fork effect of that type of design (solid wooden planks attached to a steel box-beam, etc.) when in use. Anything you could use to isolate the planks from the beam would probably be a no-go. I've used an acoustic (sound-deadening) latex paint additive in the past on other applications that has worked well, so maybe that is an option for coating the beam with. Or, you might look into a pre-fab/engineered wooden center beam.
Also, if you haven't sourced the treads already, you might consider going a bit thicker than 2" planks. YMMV.
