Structural Engineering · Engineering Glossary
A lintel is a horizontal structural member that spans over a door, window, or wall opening and carries the loads from the structure above down to the jambs (sides) of the opening. Lintels can be steel angles, built-up beams, reinforced concrete, or reinforced masonry.
The lintel must be designed to carry the tributary load from the wall and floor or roof structure above, accounting for the arching action in masonry walls (which reduces the load on the lintel) or the full accumulated load in non-masonry walls. Steel angle lintels are common over openings in CMU walls; built-up wood headers are the standard for wood-frame construction; reinforced masonry bond beams serve as lintels in CMU construction. Bearing length on each side of the opening must be sufficient to distribute the lintel reaction into the wall without crushing the bearing material. When a wall opening is added to an existing building, the structural engineer must assess the existing conditions, design an appropriate lintel, and detail the temporary shoring required during construction.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
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