WHY DO WE NEED
LINTELS?
When openings are required in brick walls,
the brickwork above the opening will
require some form of support.
Even though the brickwork may be bonded
correctly, the area immediately above the
opening will more than likely collapse
because of the loadings imposed from
above.
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WHAT IS A LINTEL
The constructional member inserted into a wall to
support a load above an opening is called a lintel.
A lintel is a horizontal -steel, concrete or stone beam
which spans over openings in walls and supports the
structure above it.
In early buildings a large timber beam or a large block
of stone would be used to support any imposed
loads.
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HOW DO WE
CLASSIFY LINTELS ?
Lintels are classified based on their material of
construction.
1. Timber Lintel
2. Stone Lintel
3. Brick Lintel
4. Reinforced Brick Lintel
5. Steel Lintel
6. Reinforced Cement Concrete Lintel
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1. Timber Lintel
Were used in olden days of construction,
However in hilly areas timber lintels are still
being used -due to the availability of timber.
The main disadvantages with timber are
• more cost
• less durable
• vulnerable to fire
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1. Timber Lintel
If the length of opening is more:
then it is provided by joining multiple number of
wooden pieces with the help of steel bolts
which was shown in fig (a).
In case of wider walls:
it is composed of two wooden pieces kept at a
distance with the help of packing pieces made
of wood. Sometimes, these are strengthened by
the provision of mild steel plates at their top and
bottom, called as flitched lintels.
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[Link] Lintel
These are the most common type, especially
where stone is abundantly available.
Stone lintel is provided in the form of either one
single piece or more than one piece.
The depth of this type is kept equal to 10 cm /
meter of span, with a minimum value of 15 cm.
They are used up to spans of 2 meters.
Stone lintels fail if subjected to vibratory loads
-because of its weak tensile nature.
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[Link] Lintel
These are used when the opening is less than 1m
and lesser loads are acting.
Its depth varies from 10 cm to 20 cm,
depending up on the span.
Bricks with frogs are more suitable than normal
bricks because frogs when filled with mortar
gives more shear resistance of end joints which
is known as joggled brick lintel.
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4. Reinforced Brick
Lintel
used when loads are heavy & span is greater
than 1m.
The depth of reinforced brick lintel should be
equal to 10 cm or 15 cm or multiple of 10 cm.
Vertical stirrups of 6 mm diameter are provided
The bricks are so arranged that 2 to 3 cm wide
in every 3rd vertical joint.
space is left length wise between adjacent
bricks for the insertion of mild steel bars as
Main reinforcement is provided at the bottom
reinforcement.
consists 8 to 10 mm diameter bars, which are
cranked up at the ends.
1:3 cement mortar is used to fill up the gaps.
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[Link] Lintel
• used when the superimposed loads are
heavy and openings are large.
• These consist of channel sections or rolled
steel joists. We can use one single section
or in combinations depending up on the
requirement.
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6. Reinforced
Cement Concrete
Lintel
At present, the lintel made of reinforced
concrete are widely used to span the openings
for doors, windows, etc. in a structure because
of their strength, rigidity, fire resistance,
economy and ease in construction.
These are suitable for all the loads and for any
span. The width is equal to width of wall and
depth depends on length of span and magnitude
of loading.
Main reinforcement is provided at the bottom
and half of these bars are cranked at the ends.
Shear stirrups are provided to resist transverse
shear as shown in fig.
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LINTELS
