Can You Spot the Mistake in This Stair Design?

Imagine you’re reviewing a staircase drawing, and you see this note:

“8 THK CONTINUOUS FOLDED PLATE TREADS AND RISERS.”

Sounds fine, right? But here’s the catch—is it actually possible to fold a single plate continuously for an entire stair flight? 🤔

The Hidden Problem

A plate cannot be folded continuously to form multiple stair treads and risers because:

• Fabrication limitations – Bending steel plate repeatedly at stair angles is nearly impossible.
• Structural concerns – Excessive bending weakens the material and creates stress points.
• Installation challenges – A long, folded plate is difficult to transport and position correctly.

The Right Approach

Instead of one continuous folded plate, each tread and riser should be a separate, single-folded plate. These individual elements can then be welded or bolted together to form a strong and practical staircase.

So next time you see a similar detail, take a closer look—is it actually buildable?