Basics in Building Construction

Building Components And Types

Lesson 16 : Lintels

Classification Of Lintels

Reinforced Brick Lintels

Reinforced brick lintels are stronger than plain brick lintels as the courses of bricks laid as lintel are reinforced suitably. For this longitudinal M.S. or ribbed steel bars are provided in the joints between the adjacent bricks to impart tensile strength. This type of lintels may be used for spans up to 2.50meters. Rich cement mortar (1:3) should be used in the construction and the width of joints should be of minimum 3 times the diameter of the reinforcing bar used. The bricks used should be of good quality. The bricks are so arranged that 2 to 3 cm wide space is left lengthwise between adjacent bricks for the insertion of reinforcement (mild steel bars). The gap or joint is filled with 1:3 cement mortar. Vertical shear stirrups of 6 mm diameter wire are provided in every third vertical joint. Main reinforcement, provided at the bottom of the lintel, consists of 8 to 10 mm diameter bars, which are cranked up at the ends.