LINTELS

A lintel is a horizontal structural member placed to span openings for doors, windows and corridors. Lintels are usually rectangular in shape. Lintels may be made out of several materials such as wood, stone, brick, reinforced brickwork, RCC or rolled steel sections embedded in cement concrete.

Reinforced cement concrete lintels are mostly used these days for all spans as other materials have some drawbacks. For example, wooden lintels are liable to decay, stone lintels are costly and not available for long lengths without defect, and steel sections become loose when exposed to sun due to the high rate of expansion.