Masonry Opening without Lintel
Masonry Opening without Lintel
(OP)
What is the maximum size (length) opening you would allow in Masonry without at Lintel?
The specifics are:
- Clay (brick) masonry load-bearing walls (3 or 4 wythes thick). Old historic building, early 1900's.
- Interior bearing walls (2 storey building with wood floors & roof)
- Penetrating walls with various size ducts
Obviously 1 to 2" diameter pipe is no issue, but there are duct openings ranging from 8" to 48" wide. The larger openings (24" to 48") will get Steel Lintels for sure, but the 8" to 12" range, I am unsure.
I looked briefly thru BIA Tech notes & ACI 530 and couldn't find anything. In Masonry Designers Guide (2nd Ed), Section 15.4.8 says >12" needs a lintel and references a Code Section 9.9.1 (which is old ACI 530-95, and there is no such section in ACI 530-08).
The specifics are:
- Clay (brick) masonry load-bearing walls (3 or 4 wythes thick). Old historic building, early 1900's.
- Interior bearing walls (2 storey building with wood floors & roof)
- Penetrating walls with various size ducts
Obviously 1 to 2" diameter pipe is no issue, but there are duct openings ranging from 8" to 48" wide. The larger openings (24" to 48") will get Steel Lintels for sure, but the 8" to 12" range, I am unsure.
I looked briefly thru BIA Tech notes & ACI 530 and couldn't find anything. In Masonry Designers Guide (2nd Ed), Section 15.4.8 says >12" needs a lintel and references a Code Section 9.9.1 (which is old ACI 530-95, and there is no such section in ACI 530-08).






RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
If a brick fits in that zone - it could fall out. If the mortar is still any good - it won't but who knows..
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
if you used a plate less than the mortar bed thickness then it could be slotted into the wall prior to demolishing the hole.
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
That had me laughing out loud.
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
RE: Masonry Opening without Lintel
thanks for opinions.