Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lecture 6
LINTEL
Definition: A horizontal structural member which is fixed over the openings.
For example: doors, windows etc
Purpose: to support the structure over the openings. It is generally rectangular in shape Materials- Timber, Stone, Brick, Reinforced brickwork, RCC or Rolled steel sections
Best materials is RCC Timber is liable to decay Stone lintels are costly and also difficult to obtain the stone of desired length without flaws Rolled steels are better than timber or stone, but due to high rate of expansions it becomes loose when exposed to direct sunlight.
Width of the lintel is equal to the width of the structure above it Design load on lintel
Types of Lintels
Wooden lintels:
Oldest type of lintel These are commonly used in hilly areas These are susceptible to catch fire, attacked by termites or liable to decay Either a single piece for small span, or multiple pieces bolted together can be used for longer span It should be made from hard and sound timber. Sal, Teak or rose wood etc. can be used as lintel To reduce the load, arches are build
Stone Lintel
USE: It can be used in the places where stone is easily available and the structure is made of stone masonry The use of stone lintel is generally not recommended because of the following reasons:
Stone being poor in tensile strength, cannot withstand the transverse stresses. Hence it should not be used for more than 1 m wide opening It is generally costly and difficult to obtain the piece of sufficient length and thickness
Brick Lintel
Use: for small openings (about 1 m) with light loading Bricks are normally laid on its end and occasionally on it edges Constructed over temporary wooden support (Turning piece) Bricks with frogs are more suitable as they form the bond
Steel Lintel
Made up with RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist) May be embeded in concrete May be used over large openings Can support heavy loads Sections are: angles, I-sections, T- sections etc. But very costly for longer openings
RCC Lintel
Advantage of RCC lintel over others:
RCC is fire proof, durable, strong, economical and easy to construct Provision of arches are eliminated Can be used for any span and loading Speed of construction can be increased if precast lintels are used
RCC Lintel
ARCHES
Arch- A mechanical arrangement of wedge shaped block of stone/bricks which mutually support each other and in turn, the entire arch is supported at the ends by piers or abutments The wedge shaped units are so arranged together along a curved line that they balance their own weight by the mutual pressure and exert only vertical pressure which can be sustained safely by the supports below Arches can also be made of RCC or Steel as a single unit
Skew-backs- these are the inclined or splayed surfaces of the abutments which are prepared to receive the arches and from this the arches springs. In some types of arches skew-backs are not required.
Voussoirs these are the wedge shaped or tapered units of stone, brick or concrete forming the arch Ring/Rim/Ring course- this is the circular course forming the arch Extrados/back- this is the upper or external curve of the arch
Intrados- this is an inner curve of the arch Soffit or bottom this is the inner or under surface of the arch Crown- This is the highest point of the extrados on a arch Key This is the uppermost or central voussoir of an arch. It is sometimes made prominent by making it larger and projecting it above and below the outline of an arch.
Springing point- These are the points of the intersection between the skew-backs and the intrados and from these points only the curve of an arch springs Springing line This is the horizontal imaginary line joining the two springing point Springer- These are the extreme or lowest voussoirs of an arch which are placed at springing level on either side immediately adjacent to the skew-backs
Haunch- this is the lower half portions of the arch between the crown and skew-back or springer Span- This is the clear horizontal distance between the support or springing points Rise this is the vertical distance between the springing line and the highest point of the intrados Center/striking point this is the geometrical center point from which the arch forming the extrados, arch rings and intrados are described or struck
Depth or height this is the perpendicular distance between the intrados and extrados Thickness (width of the soffit) this is the horizontal distance between and at right angles to the front and back faces of an arch Spandril- this is the triangular space formed between the extrados and the horizontal line drawn through the crown Jambs- These are the sides of the abutments or piers below the springing line Impost this is the projecting course(s) at the upper part of the pier or abutment to stress the springing line. Bed joints- these are the joints between the voussoirs which radiate from the center
Stability of an arch
It depends on the friction between surface of wedge shaped blocks and the cohesion of the morter. Stability may be endangered by:
Crushing of the arch material Sliding of the wedge shaped block Rotation or overturning about any edge Differential settlement of the supports
Important points about stability (contd..) To safegaurd against sliding of one voussoir over another the following points should be considered: All the bed joints should be perpendicular to the line of least resistance The depth of the voussoirs should be adequate to resists the tendency of the joints to open and to slide upon one another
Types of arches
Classification according to the number of centers Classification according to the shape formed by the intrados Classification according to the materials and workmanship employed in the construction
Flat arch
French/Dutch arch
Relieving arch
Brick arch
Rough brick arches Gauged brick arches
Concrete arch
Concrete block arches Monolithic arches
Concrete arch
Concrete block arch- it is constructed same as other arches Monolithic concrete arches- It is constructed cast in situ concrete preferably with reinforcements For smaller span and loads it can be constructed without reinforcements
Timber centering
Simple form (shorter span) - turning piece
Top of the centering should be the same shape that of arch soffit The length of the laggings and the spacing of ribs depends on the thickness of the wall
Details of Lintels