Difference between beam & lintel in a structural system:

Every building has mainly two components i.e. structural components and non-structural components. Amongst the
both, the structural components have a more prominent role to play as compared to the non-structural components.
Structural components are those part of the building that takes load imposed on the structure and transfers the same
from one element to another through the shortest path and ultimately to the soil. It is very imperative to connect
structural components properly to transfer load safely to the ground. Both lintel and beam are an example of the
same.

Lintel and beam both are structural components of the structure. Though both the lintel and beam are horizontal or
flexural member, yet they both are different from each other according to their structural behaviour, load carrying
mechanism and the purpose for which they are used. Here in this article, we have tried to differentiate both the terms
beam and lintel.

BEAM
DEFINITION beams are the horizontal
members used to support
vertically applied loads. In a
more general sense, they are
structural components that
external loads tend to bend or
curve.
FUNCTION/PURPOSE  It is required to transfer 
load from slab
to columns/walls.
 The beam provides
support to the slab resting on
it. It also provides support for
the floor and ceilings.
 The lintel provides
LOAD TRANSFER PATH The beam carries the load from
slab/floor/roof and transfers it to
the column. From column it is
transferred to the footing, and
from footing finally to the soil.
WIDTH Its width can be equal to or
more than the size of the wall
below. It depends on the load.
LENGTH  They may be of long 
span/short span depending
upon structural configuration.
 Length of the beam
varies as per design.
LINTEL
lintels are horizontal member
used to support masonry over
windows, doors, and other
openings in a wall. Technically
speaking, they too are beams
but with a definite purpose used
at a certain location.
Theoretically speaking, it
is a sort of beam but
technically speaking, it has a
supportive role. Its main
function is to support the
masonry wall above the
openings/door/window and
transfer its load to sidewalls.
support to the load of the
portion of the wall situated
above it. In some cases, it also
provides support to weather
shades.
Lintel carries the load of the wall
above the
openings/door/window, and
transfer it to the walls only.
Its width is equal to the size of
the wall below.
They are basically short
span member. Length of lintel
should be 200 mm (minimum)
over span. According to ‘SP 7’
(NBC 2005), length of bearing
of lintel at each end shall not
be less than 90 mm or one-
tenth of the span, whichever is

LOCATION  The beam is supported
on column and wall.
 The beam is a horizontal
member placed parallel to
slab.
 The beam is normally
provided at floor height of the
storey.
 It is a framing member
and part of the structural
frame.
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS/  The beam is normally 
METHOD
casted with the slab as a
whole.
 It has to be casted on 
site except in the case if it is
a precast beam.
 Beams are not simple
and easy to construct as
compared to lintel.
more.
 The lintel is placed on
door or window frame or
sometimes on the wall.
 The lintel is a horizontal
member placed across
the
opening/door/window.
 The lintel is normally
provided above the
openings, i.e. above
doors/windows.
 It is normally not a
framing member and not
a part of the structural
frame.
The lintel can be casted
separately during the
construction of a masonry wall.
The off-site casting of
the lintel is also possible.
Precast lintels can also be
used.
 Lintels are simple and
easy to construct as compared
to the beam.