Lecture no.
11
Arches and Lintels
Compiled by: Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Mehran UET, Jamshoro
Arches: Introduction
A structure, especially one of masonry, forming the curved, pointed
or flat upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight
above it, as in a bridge or doorway.
It may also be defined as, “The structure constructed of wedge shaped
block of stones or bricks jointed together with mortar and provided across
the opening to carry the weight of the structure above the opening”.
the function of arches except aesthetics, is to carry the weight of the
structure above the opening
They should be designed to support the load acting above the openings.
Arches: Introduction
Historically, the Arches were used to bridge over an structure
because at that time there was no any construction material
available (like today The R.C.C) which could resist the both
compression and tension (transverse loading) at the same time.
Thus, Arches were of structural importance since they contribute in
converting the flexural action into compression only so that the
materials weak in tension e.g. Stones, bricks can be used.
Now-a-days, Arches are made for aesthetical beauty or
ornamentation purposes in many parts of the buildings.
Technical Terminology used in Arches
1. Intrados - This is the inner curve
of an arch
2. Soffit - It is the inner surface of an
arch. Sometimes intrados and soffit
are used synonymously.
3. Extrados - It is the outer curve of
an arch.
4. Voussoirs- These are wedge shaped
units of masonry, forming an arch.
5. Crown - It is the highest part of
extrados.
Technical Terminology used in Arches
6. Keystone - It is the wedge – shaped unit fixed at
the crown of the arch
7. Spandril - The triangular-shaped, sometimes
ornamented area between the extrados or two
adjoining arches, or between the left or right
extrados of an arch and the rectangular framework
surrounding it.
8. Abutment - This the end support of an arch.
9. Pier - This an intermediate support of an arch.
10. Springing line- It is an imaginary line joining the
spring points of either end.
11. Span – It is the clear horizontal distance between
the intrados and the springing line.
12. Haunch – It is an the lower half of the arch
between the crown and skew back..
Types of
Arches
Types
On the Basis On the Basis
of Shape of Material
of
Stone
Flat Arch
Arches
Wooden
Arches
Corbel Arch
Arches
Segmental
Brick Arches
Arch
Semicircular
Arch
Pointed
Arch
Relieving
Arch
ARCHES (Types)
On the basis of shape:
Flat arch
Semi-circular Arch
Segmental arch
Dutch or French Arch
Relieving Arch
ARCHES (Types)
ARCHES (Types based upon Shape)
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
– Brick Arches: The arches constructed of bricks
laid in any suitable mortar are called brick arches.
They are further classified according to quality of
bricks used in their construction into different
types
• Plain brick arches: - The brick arches constructed of
ordinary bricks without any cutting are called plain or
rough brick arches.
• The width of bedding joints of plain brick arches goes
on increasing towards their extrados.
• These arches do not provide good appearance.
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
– Axed brick arches: - The brick arches constructed of
roughly cut in edge shape bricks are known as axed
or rough cut bricks arches or simply as axed arches.
– The width of bedding joints of axed bricks arches is
roughly uniform.
– These bricks also provide rough appearance.
– These bricks are commonly used in common bricks
work.
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
• Gauged brick arches: - The bricks arches
constructed of uniform wedge shaped mounted
bricks are called gauged bricks arches.
• The bedding joints of gauged bricks arches are
very fine and uniform.
• These are costly in construction but provide
good appearance.
• These are used for face work where
appearance is of importance.
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
• Brick flat arches: - These are constructed of
specially cut bricks made to wedge slope and
arranged in a manner so as to have flat under
surface.
• All the joints are made to radiate from one
common point, either one brick thickness or
may be used as half brick for thicker arches.
• Flat arches can also be used for face work and
part of the wall thickness can be supported by a
horizontal wooden reaction
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
– Stone Arches: Arches constructed of dressed
stones laid in cement or lime mortar is called
stone arches. These are further classified to the
type of dressing them in position
• Rubble Stone arches: - The stones arches constructed
of roughly dressed stones are called rubble stone
arches or simply rubble arches
ARCHES (Types)
On the Basis of Material of Construction
• Ashlar Stone arches: - The stones arches constructed
of finely dressed wedge shaped stone blocks are called
ashlar stones arches or simply ashlar arches.
• The bedding joints of ashlar arches are uniform.
• These arches are good in strength and provide pleasing
appearance.
• These are used for high class building when
appearance is of importance
Lintel: Introduction
• A Lintel is a horizontal beam over an opening in a building that carries the
weight of the wall above it.
OR
• A piece of wood, brick, steel or stone that lies across the top of a door or
window and holds the weight of the structure above it, is called as Lintels.
Classification of Lintels
Lintels are classified into the following types, according to the
materials of their construction.
Timber lintels
Stone lintels
Brick lintels
Steel lintels
Reinforced concrete lintels.
Timber lintels
• Timber lintels – Timber lintels are oldest lintels, so they are not
commonly used now a days, except in hilly areas.
• Timber lintels are relatively costlier, structurally weak and vulnerable
to fire
Timber lintel
• Stone lintels – These are the most common types. Specially
where stone slab of greater thickness.
• Stone lintels can also be provided over opening in brick walls.
• Dressed stone lintels give good architectural appearance.
• Stone lintels may be used in the form of either one piece or more than
one piece along the width of the wall.
• The depth of stone is kept 10cm per meter of span, with a minimum
of 15cm.
• They are used up to span length of 2m. For wider spans, stone slabs
are kept on edge.
• Stones are very weaker in tension. Also it cracks if subjected to
vibratory loads.
• Brick lintels – Brick lintels are not structurally strong, and they
are used when openings are small.(less than 1m) and loads are light.
• A brick lintel consists of bricks placed on end. Or edge, as shown in fig.
• The depth of brick lintel is varies from 10 to 20cm, depending upon the
span.
It is constructed over temporary wooden centering.
Steel lintels – Steel lintels are provided where the opening are large. And where the super
imposed loads are also heavy.
It consist of rolled steel joints or channel section either used singly or combination of two or
three units.
• Reinforced concrete lintels- are replaced practically
all other types of lintels because of their strength, rigidity, fire
resistance, economy and ease in construction.
• These can be used on any span.
• Its width is kept equal to the width of the wall
• The depth of the RCC lintel and the reinforcement depends upon the
span and magnitude of loading.
• Longitudinal reinforcement, consisting of mild steel bars, are
provided near the bottom of lintel to take up tensile stresses.
Reinforced concrete lintels.
Thank you !!
