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VIC OBDAM is an independent steel construction company that completes complex steel projects from design to installation.
Construction and Design
Design was one of the main challenges in the spiral staircase project. To reach the final design, several intermediate steps were necessary. Multiple models were calculated, taking into account the deformation total in addition to meeting the client’s esthetic wishes. Each model was calculated in structural analysis software RFEM, which made it possible to view critical areas clearly. After each intermediate design step, an optimization step was made which ultimately resulted in the final design.
The staircase structure behaves like a large spiral spring. The handrail is made of glass, which required the deformations to be minimal.
The staircase is suspended from the floor above (which spans between a concrete structure) with the help of tension members. There are normal columns at the bottom of the steps. The deformation of the floor above had to be taken into account in order to determine the influence of the bending stiffness of the floor. This stiffness impacts the tensile force in the tension members.
A dynamic analysis was also performed to determine the structure’s natural frequency. The vibration effects could then be estimated for the spiral staircase.
The element connections were also an important focus to ensure the deformations were minimal. The steel connections’ stiffnesses were analyzed and the rotational stiffness was included in the RFEM model.
| Structural Engineering and Design | Vic Obdam Staalbouw BV, Obdam, the Netherlands |
