steel lintel design 1

[jdbpe]

When designing a steel lintel that supports block and/or brick, the unsupported length of the compression flange is equal to the span of the lintel. The block with rebar and brick provide no support for the top flange. Is this correct?

 

[minorchord2000]

I will quote from "Steel Buildings Analysis and Design" by Crawley and Dillon 4th ed, page 120:

"There is always some questions as to whether the wall furnishes adequate lateral support for the lintel. There is certainly little lateral support until the mortar has cured, and even after curing, the ability of the masonry to furnish lateral support to the lintel will depend upon its thickness and proximity to floors, roofs, pilasters, etc."

In my opinion, to be conservative, I would assume unsupported compression flange. Typically for lintels, the deflection will govern for openings larger than 6 feet anyway.

 

[minorchord2000]

As an addendum to my previous post, I might consider full lateral support for lintels supporting reinforced masonry where the vertical reinforcing steel is welded to the top flange of the lintel. An additional personal requirement would be if the masonry is high enough above the lintel such that arching action may be assumed.

 

[UcfSE]

I design steel lintels as unsupported.

 

[archeng59]

ditto what UcfSE posted.