Loading subject page…
- Civil Engineering
- Masonry Materials
- Spanning Openings in Brick Walls
Micro-course: Masonry Materials
8,959 views
Learn key concepts and earn your certificate.
Spanning Openings in Brick Walls
00:00
01:20
- Understand what spanning openings means and identify the three primary structural solutions used in masonry construction
- Recognize the differences between lintels, corbels, and arches in terms of load-bearing capacity and installation complexity
- Analyze the advantages and limitations of reinforced concrete lintels versus steel angle lintels in modern construction
- Compare rough brick arches with gauged brick arches in terms of construction methods and cost considerations
- Evaluate when corbels are most appropriately used versus other spanning solutions
- Apply knowledge of arch geometry to understand how barrel vaults and domes are created
- Explore the relationship between arch span, structural loads, and material selection
- Identify real-world examples of spanning openings in American architectural landmarks
Understanding Spanning Openings in Masonry Construction
Spanning openings represents one of the fundamental challenges in structural masonry design. When architects and engineers create openings for windows, doors, or passages in brick or stone walls, they must address a critical engineering problem: how to safely transfer the structural loads from the wall above the opening to the supporting walls on either side. Without proper spanning elements, the masonry above would simply collapse into the opening under its own weight plus any additional loads from floors, roofs, or wind forces.
Lintels: The Modern Solution for Most Applications
Lintels have become the predominant method for spanning openings in contemporary American construction. These horizontal structural elements, typically made from reinforced concrete or steel angles, offer several advantages that make them ideal for most residential and commercial applications. Reinforced concrete lintels provide excellent compressive strength and can be cast to exact dimensions, while steel angle lintels offer superior tensile strength and faster installation times.
The installation process is relatively straightforward, making lintels cost-effective for builders across the United States. Unlike more complex solutions, lintels remain hidden within the wall assembly, preserving the aesthetic continuity of the masonry facade. This concealment makes them particularly valuable in projects where architectural appearance is paramount, such as the brick residential developments common throughout New England or the Southwest.
Corbels and Arches: Specialized Spanning Solutions
Corbels represent a more limited but historically significant approach to spanning openings. These stepped projections work well for smaller openings or serve decorative purposes, but their structural capacity constraints limit their use in modern large-scale construction. You might observe corbels supporting small windows in historic American buildings or serving as decorative elements in contemporary projects inspired by traditional masonry techniques.
Brick arches, while requiring greater construction precision and expertise, offer remarkable structural capabilities that have proven themselves over centuries. The construction process involves creating temporary wooden or steel centering to support the arch during construction, followed by careful placement of wedge-shaped bricks or specially manufactured tapered units. American examples include the iconic arches of Union Station in Washington, D.C., or the countless railroad bridges built during the 19th century expansion.
Applications in Academic and Professional Contexts
Understanding spanning openings proves essential for students pursuing architecture, civil engineering, or construction management programs. This concept frequently appears on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and in college-level structural design courses. Students should recognize how spanning solutions connect to broader principles of statics, materials science, and structural analysis that form the foundation of engineering education in American universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spanning openings refers to the structural methods used to support masonry walls above windows, doors, and other openings. The three primary solutions are lintels (horizontal beams), corbels (stepped projections), and arches (curved structural forms). Each method safely transfers the weight of the wall above around the opening to the supporting walls on either side.
Spanning openings encompasses the engineering challenge and solutions for maintaining structural integrity when creating voids in load-bearing masonry walls. It involves selecting appropriate structural elements based on opening size, load requirements, aesthetic preferences, and construction constraints. The chosen spanning method must effectively redirect compressive, tensile, and shear forces around the opening while maintaining the overall stability of the masonry system.
Exam questions typically focus on load distribution principles, material properties, and structural analysis of different spanning methods. Students might calculate maximum spans for given loads, compare stress distributions in arches versus lintels, or analyze failure modes. The FE exam often includes problems involving beam theory applied to lintel design or arch thrust calculations.
College exams frequently ask students to design lintels for specific loads, calculate arch geometry for given spans, or compare cost-effectiveness of different spanning solutions. You might encounter problems involving deflection limits, material selection based on environmental conditions, or integration of spanning elements with overall building design. Problem-solving typically requires applying statics principles and material strength concepts.
Spanning openings are everywhere in US architecture, from the steel lintels in suburban homes to the grand arches of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Historic examples include the stone arches of Brooklyn Bridge or the concrete lintels in Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie houses. Modern examples appear in university buildings, shopping centers, and office complexes throughout America.
Basic understanding requires only algebra and introductory physics concepts like force and equilibrium. You'll work with simple load calculations and geometric relationships. Advanced applications involving structural design require calculus and differential equations, but the fundamental concepts remain accessible to high school students with solid math foundations.
Focus on memorizing the three main types and their key characteristics, then practice identifying appropriate applications for each method. Create comparison charts showing advantages, limitations, and typical uses. Work through calculation problems involving simple beam theory for lintels and basic geometry for arches. Review real-world examples to connect theory with practical applications.
Expand into broader structural masonry topics like foundation design, lateral load resistance, and masonry reinforcement systems. Study related concepts in structural engineering such as beam design, column analysis, and connection details. Consider exploring historical construction techniques and modern innovations in masonry technology.
Related Micro-courses
Related Subjects
Electrical Engineering33 micro-courses
›