Seismic Behavior, Observed Performance, and Design of Stair Systems: State-of-the-Art

Stairs are among the most vital within the vast range of nonstructural elements and systems, as they serve as the sole means of access to a building. Moreover, following an earthquake, their safe functionality is essential for occupants and first responders. In structural design, little attention has traditionally been given to these critical components, and as a result, their performance in earthquakes continues to be poor. This state-of-the-art article aims to capture the perspective on stair system behavior as documented following earthquakes, the breadth of experimental and numerical studies that have emerged, and the state of practice as it has evolved.