Lintel for brick veneer

[marthab]

I need a lintel to support brick veneer to span 15'. The height of brick above the opening is 7' and the brick is backed with 6" steel studs. A 5 1/2 X 3 1/2" steel angle is not enough. Any suggestions??

Thank you for your help.

 

[LPPE]

Try a W8 section with a bottom plate to support the veneer.

 

[NigelB]

I would not use a loose lintel for a span over about 8 feet. End rotation of the lintel at the supports will create very high bearing stresses on the masonry at each end of the opening.

Two approaches we commonly use for longer spans:
1. Span a tube steel between columns, in the plane of the back-up wall, and size it for deflection, as well as combined bending and torsion. This can work well if there are columns adjacent to the opening on each side.
2. Hang the lintel from the floor or roof beam above. For hangers, consider steel channels the same depth as the backup wall, and space at about 4 feet. Use kickers to brace the hangers aganst wind. Design the overhead beam to limit dead load and live load deflection to a reasonable limit - maybe 3/8"? Have the Architect detail a vertical control joint in line with the upper corners of the opening, since the hanging lintel will deflect relative to the adjacent brick.

Nigel