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Calcimator

Masonry Lintel Calculator

Calculate loads, required moment, steel angle size, bearing length, and deflection for a masonry lintel over an opening.

Inputs

ft
in
ft
pcf
sq ft
psf

Results

Total Load on Lintel

320 lbs

≈ 15 car tires

Required Moment160 ft-lbs
Steel Angle Size1 (1=L3x3, 2=L3.5x3.5, 3=L4x3.5, 4=L5x3.5)
Min Bearing Length4 in
Estimated Deflection0.01 in
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the opening span in feet (clear distance the lintel must bridge).
  2. Set the wall thickness in inches.
  3. Enter the wall height above the opening to determine superimposed load.
  4. Review the minimum steel angle or precast lintel size for the span.
  5. Have a structural engineer confirm the lintel design for load-bearing applications.

How the result changes with Opening Span

Opening SpanTotal Load on Lintel
2.9168 lbs
7.651,170 lbs
133,120 lbs
184,320 lbs

What each input means

Opening Span
Clear span of the window or door opening.
Wall Thickness
Nominal thickness of the masonry wall.
Wall Height Above Opening
Height of masonry above the lintel to the roof or next floor.
Masonry Unit Weight
Weight of the masonry in pounds per cubic foot (brick ~120, CMU ~80).
Tributary Floor/Roof Area
Area of floor or roof bearing on the lintel (0 for non-load-bearing walls).
Live Load
Design live load in pounds per square foot (residential floor = 40 psf).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Opening Span = 4, Wall Thickness = 8, Wall Height Above Opening = 6, Masonry Unit Weight = 120 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total Load on Lintel
    Total Load on Lintel
    320 = 320
  3. Calculate Required Moment
    Required Moment
    160 = 160
  4. Calculate Steel Angle Size
    Steel Angle Size
    1 = 1

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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