What is a lintel? / FAQs related to lintel./Difference between lintel & beam.

Let us go through some of the FAQs related to lintel in construction.

1. What is a lintel?

A lintel is a type of beam cast or placed above the door, window, entrance openings, etc. They are horizontal structural members to span across the openings to support the structural load.

The lintel is provided to safely transfer the load to the supporting walls or members, without disturbing the doors, windows, or any such openings.

 

2. What are the different types of lintels in construction?

The different types of lintels based on the materials used in their construction are,

1. RCC lintel

a. Precast lintel

b. Cast in situ lintel

2. Steel lintel

3. Stone lintel

4. Wood or timber lintel

5. Reinforced brick lintel

6. Brick lintel

3. What is the difference between a lintel & a beam?

Let us observe the difference between lintel & beam in a table format as below.

Sl. no.	Description	Lintel	Beam
1.	Application	To support masonry loads above doors, windows, & all such openings.	To support vertical loads & safely transfer them to the supporting structural members.
2.	Material used in making them	Stone, brick, RCC , steel, wood, etc.	RCC, steel.
3.	Framed structure	Not a part of framed structure.	It is a part of framed structure.
4.	Designing	Needs to be designed accurately.	No need to design them accurately.
5.	End point is rested on	Walls.	Columns or other beam.
6.	Width	Equal to the width of the wall below.	More or equal to the wall width.
7.	Span length	Short span member.	It can be long span or short span member.
8.	Cross sectional area	Less, when compared to beam.	More, when compared to lintel.
9.	Position	Position of lintel is limited above the openings.	Positioned in all parts of the buildings to transfer the loads.
10.	Support type	Simply supported.	Fixed or simply supported.

 

4. What is meant by a lintel level?

The top-level of doors, windows, or any openings for the entry & exit is termed as lintel level. A lintel is provided on all such openings to transfer the load to the wall. In general, the height of the lintel level will be between 7 ft. to 8 ft. from the floor level. 

For residential buildings, the standard height of the lintel will be 2100mm. ( 7 ft.) from the floor level. The height of the lintel for the commercial buildings will be 2300mm. (7.5 ft.) in normal conditions.

5. What should be the bearing or span of a lintel?

Here, bearing means the span or length of the lintel part rested over the wall.

The minimum bearing of the lintel should be the greatest of the following three conditions.

1. Lintel depth.

2. 100mm.

3. 1/10th of the total span of the lintel.

But in general conditions, a bearing of 150mm. is provided on either supporting end. That means, for the opening of X length, the length of the lintel should be X + 300mm.

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