ARCHES & LINTELS

LINTELS
A lintel is a beam placed across the openings like doors, windows etc. in buildings to support the load from
the structure above. The width of lintel beam is equal to the width of wall, and the ends of it is built into the
wall. Lintels are classified based on their material of construction.

Bearing of Lintel

The bearing provided should be the minimum of following 3 cases :-

100-150 MM

Height of lintel

1/10th to 1/12th of span of the lintel.

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TYPES OF LINTELS
 TIMBER LINTEL
In older days of construction, Timber lintels were mostly used. But now a days they are replaced by several
modern techniques, however in hilly areas these are still used. The main disadvantages with timber are
more cost and less durable and vulnerable to fire.

If the length of opening is more, then it is provided by joining multiple number of wooden pieces with the
help of steel bolts which was shown in fig (a). In case of wider walls, it is composed of two wooden pieces
kept at a distance with the help of packing pieces made of wood. Sometimes, these are strengthened by
the provision of mild steel plates at their top and bottom, called as flitched lintels.
 STONE LINTEL
These are the most common type, especially where stone is abundantly available. The thickness of these
are most important factor of its design. These are also provided over the openings in brick walls. Stone
lintel is provided in the form of either one single piece or more than one piece.

The depth of this type is kept equal to 10 cm - 15 cm. They are used up to spans of 2-3 meters. In the
structure is subjected to vibratory loads, cracks are formed in the stone lintel because of its weak tensile
nature. Hence caution is needed.
 BRICK LINTEL
These are used when the opening is less than 1m and lesser loads are acting. Its depth varies from 10 cm
to 20 cm, depending up on the span. Bricks with frogs are more suitable than normal bricks because frogs
when filled with mortar gives more resistance of end joints.
 REINFORCED BRICK LINTEL
These are used when loads are heavy and span is greater than 1m. The depth of reinforced brick lintel
should be equal to 10 cm or 15 cm or multiple of 10 cm. the bricks are so arranged that 2 to 3 cm wide
space is left length wise between adjacent bricks for the insertion of mild steel bars as reinforcement. 1:3
cement mortar is used to fill up the gaps.

Vertical stirrups of 6 mm diameter are provided in every 3rd vertical joint. Main reinforcement is provided at
the bottom consists 8 to 10 mm diameter bars, which are cranked up at the ends.
 STEEL LINTEL
These are used when the superimposed loads are heavy and openings are large. These consist of
channel sections or I-sections. We can use one single section or in combinations depending up on the
requirement.

When used singly, the section is either embedded in concrete or cladded with stone facing to keep the
width same as width of wall. When more than one units are placed side by side, they are kept in position by
tube separators.
 RCC LINTEL
At present, the lintel made of reinforced concrete are widely used to span the openings for doors, windows,
etc. in a structure because of their strength, rigidity, fire resistance, economy and ease in construction.
These are suitable for all the loads and for any span. The width is equal t width of wall and depth depends
on length of span and magnitude of loading.

Main reinforcement is provided at the bottom and half of these bars are cranked at the ends. stirrups are
provided which is a closed loop of reinforcement bar that is used to hold the main reinforcement bars
together in an RCC structure.
RCC PROJECTIONS
 ARCHES
An arch is a structure constructed in curved shape with wedge shaped units (either bricks or stones), which
are jointed together with mortar, and provided at openings to support the weight of the wall above it along with
other superimposed loads.

Because of its shape the loads from above gets distributed to supports (pier or abutment).
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 DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF AN ARCH
Intrados : The inner curve of an arch is called as intrados.

Extrados : The outer curve of an arch is termed as extrados.

Soffit in an Arch : The inner surface of an arch is called soffit. Soffit and intrados are used synonymously.

Voussoirs : The wedge-shaped units of masonry which are forming an arch is called as voussoirs.

Crown of an Arch : The highest part are peak point of extrados is called crown.

Keystone : The wedge shaped unit which is fixed at the crown of the arch is called keystone.

Spandrel in an Arch : If two arches are constructed side by side, then a curved triangular space is formed
between the extrados with the base as horizontal line through the crown. This space is called as spandrel.

Skew Back : This is an inclined surface or splayed surface on abutment, from which arch curve starts or
ends.
 DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF AN ARCH
Springing Points : The imaginary points which are responsible for the springing of curve of an arch are
called as springing points.

Springing Line : The imaginary line joining the springing points of either ends is called as springing line.

Springer in Arches : The first voussoir at springing level which might or might not be immediately adjacent to
the skewback is called as springer.

Haunch : The lower half of the arch is called haunch. Highlighted area in the below fig is haunch.

Arcade : The row of arches in continuation is called arcade.

 DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF AN ARCH
Impost : The projecting course is provided on the upper part of a pier or abutment to stress the springing line.
This course is called impost.

Bed Joints : The joints between the voussoirs are called bed joints. These bed joints are radiate from center
of arch. The red colour lines in the below figure are bed joints.

Span of an Arch : The clear horizontal distance between the supports or abutments or piers is termed as
span of an arch.

Rise of an Arch : The clear vertical distance between the highest point on the intrados and the springing line
is called as rise.

Pier and Abutment of an Arch : The intermediate support of an arch is called as pier. The end support of an
arch is called as abutment
TYPES OF ARCHES
 SEMI-CIRCULAR ARCH
A roman arch which is also known as a semi-circular arch. It forms a semi-circle. It is generally made
of brick masonry.
 SEGMENTAL ARCH
A Syrian arch which is also known as a Segmental arch. It forms a partial curve since it has a small
rise in the centre and is semi-elliptical across the top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndqh94c7isQ
 FLATTENED GOTHIC ARCHES
Flattened Gothic arches are also known as Tudor arches. Tudor arches have a low rise because of
which they are named as flattened gothic arches. Gothic arches are generally narrower than the
flattened gothic arches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5PgU2V8YC4
 FLAT ARCHES
Flat arches are also known as straight arches. As the name itself suggests, the arch spans straight
across the opening without any curvation.
 HORSESHOE ARCHES
A Moorish arches are also called Horseshoe arches. The arch resembles the look of a horseshoe
magnet. The curved arch line extends beyond the semi-circular line of the arch.

youtube.com/watch?v=Ju_70DqaFUg
 GOTHIC ARCHES
Gothic arches are narrow arches with a pointed opening. It was considered to be a more sinuous and
elegant successor to the roman arch style. Gothic arches have been used in cathedrals of the Middle
ages across Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMXoPtRXOA
 TREFOIL & OGEE ARCHES
A trefoil arch, or three-foiled cusped arch, is an arch incorporating the shape or outline of a trefoil –
three overlapping rings. It has been widely used for its symbolic significance in Christian
architecture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR9NWuE0o10

An ogee is a decorative line created by connecting two curves. The top curve is concave, or bowed
inward, and the bottom is convex, or curved outward like part of a sphere. When put together, they
form an S-shaped curve. An ogee arch uses two of these curves and links them at the top, where they
meet in a point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndG6x7QP0R8