Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
balustrade with natural stone stairs. This is set fast in pre-bored holes with floating
sulphur. The sulphur solidifies in a few minutes and prevents any rust getting to
the foot.
Brick stairs
These can be used inside and outside. They are usually short and built from ordi-
nary bricks.
Concrete stairs
Concrete can be used inside and outside. Uncovered concrete stairs have a ten-
dency to be dusty. It is normal to lay ceramic tiles on them, or terrazzo topping
which is later sanded.
Cast iron stairs
Cast iron stairs came into use at the turn of the century and are often used for fire
escapes. They are usually galvanized or painted.
Wooden and stone stairs use the most favourable raw materials, environmental-
ly speaking. They also have low levels of pollution and primary energy con-
sumption. Surface treatment and impregnation of timber stairs will reduce the
environmental profile somewhat.
Within a building these products are relatively harmless. The only exceptions
are impregnated or painted timber staircases. Steel stairs and reinforced brick
and concrete stairs can increase the electromagnetic field in a house.
All types of stairs have a re-use potential, e.g. wooden stairs mounted in mod-
ular parts for simple dismantling, dry stone stairs, brick stairs laid in a weak
mortar, standardized steel stairs, etc. Certain prefabricated concrete steps are also
suitable for re-use. Products cast
in situ
can be recycled as fill or aggregate for low
quality concrete work. Steel products can be easily recycled through smelting.
Stone, brick and concrete are inert and relatively problem-free as waste.
Impregnated timber must be deposited at special dumps.
References
B
UGGE
A, Husbygningslœre, Kristiania 1918
G
JELSVIK
T
et al
,
Four papers on durability of build-
ing materials and components
, Byggforsk, Oslo
1986
J
ESSEN
C,
Landhuset
, København 1975
L
AURITZEN
E
et al
,
De lander på genbrug
,
Copenhagen 1991
P
HIL
Å,
Byggnadsmaterial utifrån en helhetssyn
,
KTH, Stockholm 1990
