Stone as a structural material. Part 2: Traditional and reinforced stone stairs

Webb Yates, in conjunction with The Stonemasonry Company, has begun to develop a building system that would be a low-energy alternative to more common steel and concrete-framed structures. In this article, we hope to demonstrate how a creative approach to engineering design can utilise stone to exploit its inherent strengths.

This article covers the reasons for post-tensioning stone, the advantages of doing so, and presents a series of projects that demonstrate the evolution and development of engineers' expertise and understanding at Webb Yates.

This set of four articles will explore the contemporary use of stone in a variety of structural applications, showcasing the versatility of this often overlooked material. Part 1 will discuss the mechanical properties of stone, with subsequent parts covering the use of plain, reinforced and post-tensioned stone in buildings and staircases.