HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND URBAN ENGINEERING

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (CUEg-2064)

5.7 ARCHES AND LINTELS

September 2012
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5.7 ARCHES AND LINTELS
5.7.1 Arches
Typical elements of an Arch
 Intrados: This is the inner curve of an arch.

 Soffit: It is the inner surface of an arch. (It is the synonym of

intrados)
 Extrados: It is the outer curve of an arch.

 Voussoirs: These are wedge shaped units of masonry,

forming an arch.
 Crown: It is the highest part of extrados.

 Key: It is the wedge shaped unit fixed at the crown of the

arch.
 Spandrill: This is a curved triangular space formed between

the extrados and the horizontal line through the crown. 3

5.7 ARCHES AND LINTELS
Typical elements of an Arch
 Springing Points : These are the points from which the curve

of the arch springs(starts).

 Springing line : It is the imaginary line joining the springing

of points of either end.

 Abutment : This is the support of the arch.

 Span: It is the clear distance (horizontal distance) between

abutments.
 Rise : It is the clear vertical distance between the highest point

on the intrados and the springing line.

 Depth or Height: It is the perpendicular distance between the

intrados and extrados.

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5.7.1 Arches (cont...)

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 5.7.1 Arches (cont...)

Precast concrete arch lintel

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STABILITY OF ARCHES
An Arch transmits the superimposed load to the side walls (or
abutments) through
-friction between the surfaces of voussoirs and
-the cohesion of mortar.
 Every element of arch remains in compression.

 It has also to bear transverse shear.

An arch may therefore may fail in the following ways.

a. Crushing of the masonry.
b. Sliding of Voussoir.
c. Rotation of some joint about an edge.
d. Uneven settlement of abutment/pier

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CONCRETE ARCHES
Concrete arches are of two types:
1. Pre-cast concrete block arches
Cement concrete 1:2:4 mixes is usually used.
2. Monolithic Concrete arches.
are constructed from cast-insitu concrete, either plain or
reinforced, depending up on the span and magnitude of
loading.
The arch thickness is 15cm for arches up to 3m span.

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CONSTRUCTION OF ARCHES

The construction of arches, of all types of materials(i,e bricks,

stones or concrete) is carried out in three steps.
1) Installation of centering and formwork
2) Laying and Casting of actual arch, and
3) Striking or removal of centering or formwork.

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5.7.2 LINTELS
 A lintel is a horizontal member, which is placed across the opening.

 Lintels are easy to build and the supporting walls need not be very

strong.
 At least 10cm length of bearing is a minimum requirement.

 For very long spans, the bearing for the lintel end should be equal at

least to its depth.

The bearing length of lintel should be the minimum of the following:
a.10cm
b. Height of lintel.
c. 1/10th to 1/12th of the span of lintel.
 If the span of lintel exceeds 1.2m, End bearing should have a

minimum of 15cm.

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Types of lintels
 Lintels are classified according to the material of their construction.

a) Timber lintels:
lintels are the oldest type of lintels and are not
commonly used nowadays. They can not take greater load and
are vulnerable to fire and decay.

b) Stone lintels:
lintels not widely used as the stone used for this work
is not available at all places.

c) Brick lintels:
lintels Plain brick lintels are not structurally strong and
they are not used in large openings and where loads are heavy.
Instead reinforced bricks are used.

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5 OPENINGS IN WALLS
5.2 Lintels (cont...)
Types of lintels

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5 OPENINGS IN WALLS
5.2 Lintels (cont...)
Types of lintels

Timber lintel Stone lintel

Reinforced brick lintel

Reinforced concrete lintel
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THANK YOU!

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