Block paved patio steps

[r44flyer]

Hello again,

My in-laws have a crazy-paved patio with matching steps from the kitchen door. The mortar on the steps is constantly breaking up making the steps unsafe to use so we're going to replace them with blocks, 3 steps of about 150mm rise each. They'll be a cascading arrangement, squared rather than semi-circular.

We have some bricks left over from the kitchen extension build so I'll use them to match and save buying new ones. They'll be used to 'fill in' the treads and, as I'm thinking so far, the steps will be edged with kerb units like these... http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/153939?WT.ac=SP030005

What I can't quite get my head around is the best way to build up the central mass of the steps. If I haunch the edges of the bottom step can I just in-fill with hardcore, compacted in thin layers, then with a sand bedding? That would mean building each step up off compacted hardcore. Should I have something more solid under there, like a block/concrete skeleton of some kind or perhaps just a pile of loose bricks?

Thanks for your advice.

[lutonlagerlout]

seek and its on the main site
btw chances are your bricks from your extension will NOT be suitable for steps
cheers LLL

[r44flyer]

Thanks LLL. I did find and read that page but what put me off was the total height of the steps in comparison to their footprint, it seems like I'd be pouring quite a large block of concrete. If it's still the best method I'll go for it.

In what way will the bricks be unsuitable for steps?

I planned to just lay the bricks closely butted with a sand joint. Will the kerb edgings need laying with mortar joints or would they be fine retaining the bricks with a small haunch at their base to stop them spreading outwards?

Thanks.