What is Lintel? 6 Types of Lintel & Function

What is Lintel?

It is a horizontal member which is placed over an opening. It acts just like a beam. It transfers all the load, acting over the openings to the supporting walls.

Function of Lintel

  1. Lintel provides a bearing for the masonry above the opening and transfers all the loads acting over the opening to the supporting wall.
  2. Lintel behaves just like a beam.

Types of Lintel

1. Timber or wood Lintel

They are made up from timber piece those are placed over the openings. These were used in olden days. They are not in common use these days. They are easily affected by white ants and other insects. These are the weak sections than stone and steel.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

2. Stone Lintel 

They are made up from stone pieces those are placed over the openings. They may be in the form of a single piece or more than one piece. They are very weak in tension so as cannot be used on large spans. they may crack when subjected to the vibrations.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

3. Brick Lintel 

They are made up from bricks those are generally placed on end or one edge. The bricks should be well burnt and free from cracks. These are weak in nature so that they are suitable up to the span of 1 meter.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

4. RCC Lintel 

They are made up of reinforcement and concrete. The reinforcement is provided for resisting tensile stresses and concrete is provided for resisting compressive stresses. They are very suitable for modern construction. they may be cast in any shape and size. they may be used for long spans. They may be precast and cast in situ.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

5. Steel Lintel 

They are made up of steel angles or rolled steel joist. Angle iron is used for a short span and rolled steel joist are used for large spans. The steel joists may be used singly or maybe a combination of two or three units.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

6. Reinforced Brick lintel 

These are used for small openings and consists of bricks laid in cement mortar with steel bars. Ordinary brickwork is not capable of taking loads over openings.

What is Lintel? Function & Types

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Also, read

Difference Between Plinth Level, Sill Level and Lintel Level.

Difference Between Beam and Lintel

Difference Between Long Column and Short Column

What is Plinth Beam? Plinth Protection, Difference Between Plinth Beam and Tie Beam

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