Selecting the Correct Lintel

STAGE 1: SELECT WALL TYPE

Cavity Wall

Timber Frame

Single Leaf

Solid Wall

Internal Partition

External Solid Wall

Example: Cavity Wall Construction

You will need to know:

A Outer Leaf = 102mm Brick

B Cavity = 100mm

C Inner Leaf = 100mm Block

STAGE 2: WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE LINTEL?

Example: Lintel Length

How wide is the structural opening?

1 Measure the size of the structural opening i.e. the clear span between the masonry supports.

2 Add 150mm minimum bearing to each end.

Example lintel length = 150 + 1800 + 150 = 2100mm

STAGE 3: WHAT IS THE LOAD TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE LINTEL?

Example: Load on lintel

The load on a lintel comes from…

1 Masonry

2 Roof Loads: Truss/Attic/Cut/…

3 Floor Loads: Joists/Slabs/…

4 Live Loads: Residential use/Commercial use/Industrial use/…

5 Combination of above

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