Masonry Lintels – Structural Masonry Coalition

Contractors in the field prefer masonry lintels, opposed to steel lintels. Sometimes estimators assume masons prefer steel lintels but this is a myth. Just ask the builders in the field. Masonry lintels aid speed of installation and reduces cost and lead times often associated with structural steel lintels. Also, and arguably most important, masonry lintels eliminates cracking potential at bearing points that is all too common with steel lintels. Visit FORSE for masonry lintel design support.

Masonry Lintels Basics

Design for masonry lintel spanning 52-feet to span performing arts stage opening

Length of Masonry Lintels

Summer 2019. 34-foot long, 7-course high, masonry lintel at elementary school build by Superior Masonry. (2) #9 in first course, (2) #5 rebar in seventh course, (2) #5 vertical rebar spaced 2’-8” on-center.

Temporary Support for Masonry Lintels

Supporting masonry lintels while they set up is much easier than some designers think. Short masonry lintels (generally under 12-feet) are commonly supported by wood or inverted steel angles. Longer masonry lintels are supported by wide flange steel or other solutions. Designers should not worry about means and methods.

Temporary inverted steel angle for masonry lintel support. Plastic is wrapped around end of steel to aid removal when masonry lintel sets up. Typically these temporary supports are removed in a couple of days.

After temporary support spans opening, mason installs bond beam CMU units.

Contractor preference to use lumber for temporary support of masonry lintels. Lumber is support by z-shape clips.

A curious situation where a masonry lintel was next to a steel wide flange lintel in the same wall. When the masons were asked which lintel they preferred they laughed at the silliness of the question. They mason lintel was so much faster and easier to install than the steel lintel. Also, with the steel lintel, there is a chance for cracking to devleop at bearing points due to differential movement.

Masonry lintels temporarily supported by lumber at elementary school gymnasium double doors.

13’-4” masonry lintel temporarily supported by lumber.

7-course masonry lintel temporarily supported by wide flange.

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Lintels

Some contractors prefer to use these lintels when it is approved by the architect and structural engineer. These units have cast steel tendons to provide temporary support. Once installed in the wall, rebar and grout is installed.

A precast/prestressed concrete lintel in a CMU loadbearing cavity wall. These lintels function well but may impact aesthetics of the wall if the CMU is exposed on the interior. The control joint should have been located 24” minimum from the end of the lintel.

A precast/prestressed concrete lintels on site.

A precast/prestressed concrete lintel being cut to fit in field.

Approved precast/prestressed concrete lintels in action.

Multi-course lintels. Sometimes precast/prestressed lintels can be used as shoring. Images from Cast Crete website (www.castcrete.com)

Prefabricated Masonry Lintels

Prefabricated masonry lintels aid speed of installation and reduces the cost and lead times often associated with structural steel elements. The use of masonry lintels also eliminates cracking potential at the interface of structural steel lintels and CMU. Structural steel expands and contracts at approximately 2.5 times the rate of masonry due to thermal impact. Prefab masonry elements are often build right on the site, or sometimes at an off-site location.