Multiple Course CMU Lintel Construction 2

[BadgerPE]

Hey all,

I have never designed a multiple course CMU lintel before without just using 16" U-shaped blocks. What is the typical way to construct a simply supported lintel with say 3 courses required? Would you first place a set of 8" U-shaped blocks with reinforcing, place two more courses of standard blocks above, and grout the whole thing solid? What about continuous lintel? Would you knock out the webbing of the standard blocks to place top reinforcing where needed? If anyone has a sketch or a standard detail they are willing to share, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ron9876]

hokie66 not sure what the concern would be. If I have multiple span masonry beams I schedule masonry bond beams of the same depth over the masonry piers and place the bottom steel continuous.

We are talking about grout filled U shaped precast lintels right.

 

[concretemasonry]

A masonry lintel is not much different than a precast lintel and it gives the designer the opportunity to provide continuity (where desired).

The major difference is the appearance and whether it is site built (quicker) or from a supplier that may have standard lintels that size and reinforcement readily available for construction.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[TXStructural]

Why not a formed and cast in place concrete lintel? This allows continuity of reinforcement, requires no special trades, and facilitates placement of shear reinforcement.

 

[hokie66]

ron9876,
Our terminology seems to be the problem. I thought you were talking about a precast, reinforced solid lintel. The U-shaped precast lintels you are talking about are new to me...not available in Australia to my knowledge. We just use U-shaped blocks, and the builders build wood shoring without complaint.

 

[ron9876]

Yes hokie66 that is what we use all the time. No forming and only shore when spans get longer.