Are you building a new home or renovating one and are curious about how the space above doors and windows continues to bear the load? The horizontal element that performs this function is a lintel. And in many construction projects, reinforced brick lintels provide the perfect balance between cost efficiency, strength, and aesthetics. In this blog, we’re going to dissect what reinforced brick lintels are, why they’re important to construction efforts, how they’re constructed, and where they’re used. This manual is specifically for home/landowners, civil engineers, site engineers, homebuilders, and all others who want to learn more about this topic.
What is a Reinforced Brick Lintel?
A reinforced brick lintel is a load-bearing horizontal architectural member of a building. It is a beam above a window or recess in a wall supporting the load from above. These horizontal lintels shift the weight from above the opening to the walls on either side, preventing them from collapsing. Reinforced brick lintels have steel reinforcing bars embedded in the brickwork, giving them more strength and enabling them to bear heavier loads than ordinary brick lintels. The design merges the strength of steel and the low cost nature and abundance of bricks, making it perfect for low-rise structures and traditional buildings.
Why Use Reinforced Brick Lintels in Construction?
1. Cost-Effective Alternative to RCC
Reinforced brick lintels are cheaper than concrete lintels since they utilise bricks that are locally available. The formwork & shuttering requirements are also minimal. For small to medium-sized openings, they are cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on safety.
2. Consistent Aesthetic Appeal
These lintels make the building appear more uniform since the lintel is generally constructed of the same material as the walls. This cuts down on the amount of plastering required after the brickwork is completed.
3. Easy On-Site Construction
You don’t require a mould or big machinery for fabricating these lintels. They can be built directly and accurately on site with a few deft hands and basic tools, making them excellent for semi-urban and rural construction projects.
4. Efficient for Load Distribution
These lintels are designed to distribute the load from above efficiently to the adjoining walls. With proper reinforcement and mortar mix, they can handle significant weights while keeping the structure intact.
5. Reduced Time for Curing and Setup
Reinforced brick lintels require comparatively less curing time than RCC lintels. This translates to faster return to construction after installation to better meet tighter project schedules without compromising quality.
Components of a Reinforced Brick Lintel
Every single component of any reinforced brick lintel contributes to its strength and stability. Here are its main parts,
1. Bricks
Well-burned, uniform, and high-strength clay bricks are used as they have high compressive strength. The bricks are also used as the body of the lintel, and are stacked so that top and bottom courses allow room for reinforcement and grouting.
2. Reinforcement Bars
These are typically mild steel or TMT bars, ranging from 8 mm to 12 mm in diameter, depending on the span. They’re laid in horizontal joints and run the length of the opening to take the tensile stress.
3. Stirrups (Links)
Stirrups are small steel ties used to hold the main bars in place and help manage shear forces. They also ensure the reinforcement stays properly aligned throughout the lintel’s length.
4. Mortar
Cement-sand mixture (ratio approximately 1:3 or 1:4) with water is used for the jointing. All joints are filled with this mortar, and the pressure is evenly distributed on the lintel.
5. End Bearings
In order to properly anchor the lintel, the ends must be supported on the wall for a minimum length of 150–200 mm, which will add stability and ensure that the forces transfer effectively onto supporting walls.
Construction Process of a Reinforced Brick Lintel
Here’s how professionals like Brick & Bolt ensure safe and reliable lintel installation,
- Preparing the Opening: The lintel span is marked above the door or window, ensuring accurate placement and level.
- Laying the First Brick Course: Using the correct mortar mix, bricks are laid on either side with spacing between them for the reinforcement bars to sit.
- Placing the Steel Reinforcement: Main bars are placed in the gaps between brick layers, ensuring they span the opening completely. Stirrups are tied at regular intervals (typically 150–200 mm).
- Building Subsequent Courses: Another course or two of bricks is laid above the reinforcement, fully encasing the steel in mortar. This adds structural depth and support.
- Curing the Structure: The completed lintel is allowed to cure for at least 7–10 days. Regular watering is done to maintain strength and prevent cracking.
- Final Inspection: Before any load is applied, the lintel is checked to verify accurate levels, alignment, and any visible defects to ensure structural soundness.
Applications of Reinforced Brick Lintels
These lintels are used across various construction scenarios where both budget and strength are key.
- Residences: Commonly used above doors, windows, and arches in homes built with brick masonry.
- Schools and Community Buildings: Suitable for low-rise institutional structures where material consistency is required.
- Boundary Walls and Compound Walls: Installed to strengthen gate openings and wall breaks.
- Rural and Semi-Urban Construction Projects: Due to easy sourcing of bricks and steel, they’re ideal in areas with limited access to concrete batching plants.
- Renovation and Retrofitting Projects: In old buildings, reinforced brick lintels offer a practical way to introduce support without altering the existing wall structure much.
Standard Dimensions and Span Limits
Reinforced brick lintels are commonly used for spans between 1-2 meters, particularly when the load above is substantial. The typical design involves specific dimensions and construction methods to ensure strength and durability.
Standard Dimensions
- Depth: Should be a multiple of 10 cm.
- Width: Must match the thickness of the wall.
- Bearing: A minimum of 10 cm (100mm) bearing length on both sides of the opening is essential.
Span Limits
For spans over 1 meter, reinforced brick lintels are necessary to bear heavy loads. For openings up to 1 meter, plain brick lintels may suffice. However, for larger spans or heavier loads, reinforced concrete lintels are preferred.
Construction Details
Bricks are placed with a 2-3 cm gap for mild steel reinforcing bars, filled with 1:3 cement mortar. Main reinforcement is positioned at the bottom with 8-10 mm bars, and 6 mm vertical stirrups are placed at every third joint.
Important Considerations
Brick quality and mortar strength are crucial for load-bearing capacity. Proper construction techniques, including correct reinforcement placement, are essential for optimal performance. For tailored designs, consulting a structural engineer is recommended.
Conclusion
Reinforced brick lintels are an effective and affordable way to support masonry openings. They are strong, cost-effective, and easy to build, especially with small residential and commercial projects. They can also be durable, given the right design, reinforcement, and curing, and provide great value with a negligible increase in cost to the overall project. At Brick & Bolt, we use proven methods and IS-code-compliant products to ensure that your building is not only affordable but safe and durable. We build it right, regardless of whether it’s your first home or your tenth build.