Lintel question

[TANK]

Just wondering if I can have the concrete lintel right at the top of the wall of my block shed - ie integrated into the last course of brick work with the top plate lying above it? I don't really want to go another course as I want to keep the height down to allow sunlight in to the garden, and I didn't want to drop the windows lower either as I'm tall. 

I can go another course if I have to, just wondering if I really need to? The walls are thermalite (just finishing the top with brick), and will only support 6x2's, osb and epdm. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Tank. 

[Tennentslager]

Picture would help

[TANK]

I can't upload one. Most lintels have a few courses of brickwork above them before the wall plate. I'm asking if this needs to be the case. 

I'm talking in general - I mean is it a done thing or not?

[markc]

3 hours ago, TANK said:

Just wondering if I can have the concrete lintel right at the top of the wall of my block shed - ie integrated into the last course of brick work with the top plate lying above it? I don't really want to go another course as I want to keep the height down to allow sunlight in to the garden, and I didn't want to drop the windows lower either as I'm tall. 

I can go another course if I have to, just wondering if I really need to? The walls are thermalite (just finishing the top with brick), and will only support 6x2's, osb and epdm. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Tank. 

Nothing wrong with wall plate on top of lintel …. Depending on overhand you may have to be careful of door catching rafters/eaves if applicable

[TANK]

Thanks Mark. Just what I was hoping to hear. Will save me time, money and improve the build. 

[PeterW]

Assuming we are talking a standard 65x100 concrete lintel here, with a 4x2 wall plate. All will be fine, get a decent length lintel such as a 1500 so you’ve got good end bearing and be done with it. Assuming you’re using concrete commons for the top course ..??

[Gus Potter]

13 hours ago, TANK said:

Just wondering if I can have the concrete lintel right at the top of the wall of my block shed - ie integrated into the last course of brick work with the top plate lying above it? I don't really want to go another course as I want to keep the height down to allow sunlight in to the garden, and I didn't want to drop the windows lower either as I'm tall. 

I can go another course if I have to, just wondering if I really need to? The walls are thermalite (just finishing the top with brick), and will only support 6x2's, osb and epdm. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Tank. 

Hi Tank.

 

This is kind of for all and I can see it's a shed.

 

I'm assuming that you are talking about a concrete lintel. There are two generic types. One is a non composite lintel. This acts just like a steel beam which is often designed to carry all the load on it's own.

 

The other type of lintel is called a composite lintel. These lintels have a declared capacity based on the fact that they have brickwork that is laid directly on top of the lintel and forms a bond with the top of the lintel. In other words the brickwork is "stuck" to the top of the lintel and thus the lintel and the brickwork form a quasi arch.. work together to carry the load.. hence the term composite. Again, for all if you stick in a cavity tray you create a slip plane so destroy the composite action.

 

Tank.. Based on your rafter size it looks like the lintel is not carrying a lot of load. If you have a non composite lintel then reducing the courses above should be ok.

 

 

 

 

 

[Conor]

Perfectly fine. I did this on my shed to keep the roof height below 2.5m.

[TANK]

10 hours ago, PeterW said:

 Assuming you’re using concrete commons for the top course ..??

No I was just going to use brick. Is this a problem? 

[SteamyTea]

13 hours ago, Gus Potter said:

This is kind of for all

Have you thought of starting a blog on here.

A quick description of beams, pillars and crossmembers, the types in most common use, basic calculations to determine sizes and best practice to installing them.

I would find it useful and save me having to find my copy of:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Buildings-Fall-Down-Structures/dp/039331152X

[Gus Potter]

On 19/09/2021 at 12:52, SteamyTea said:

Have you thought of starting a blog on here.

A quick description of beams, pillars and crossmembers, the types in most common use, basic calculations to determine sizes and best practice to installing them.

I would find it useful and save me having to find my copy of:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Buildings-Fall-Down-Structures/dp/039331152X

Yes at times. I do have a blog slot on BH but have neglected. Jeremy Harris, the mods et al have set a high bench mark!

 

I joined BH as; it's not commercial, I find the folk here refreshing, there is humour, serious stuff where folk really need somewhere to turn to for help, great innovators.. the list goes on. I learn something new each time I look about on BH, it's a two way street for me and I enjoy being here.

 

If there is interest from BH members in the structural side then I would give it a go and also post stuff on the blog bit so that it is all in the one place..but then it could start to loose the terms of reference of BH. In other words BH folk want to know about their own house / project and get a response to their own posts rather than read some generic stuff? I think this is the life blood of BH and why it works so well. Also, it's the Mods et al.. without their dedication, this site would not be what it is.

 

Another thing is you have some real pro's on BH that have specialist skills. They may not post regularly, then in spurts, but the quality is exceptional.

 

@SteamyTea  "I would find it useful and save me having to find my copy of:"Why-Buildings-Fall-Down-Structures"

 

For all. What about sticking to BH and finding out "what makes buildings stay UP"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[saveasteading]

There is a danger of making what is really complex sound simple. As every project is a one-off there are infinite variations.

There have been correspondents on here who think it is easy, and will cherry pick the bits that suit, while not seeing the consequences...and the building may fall down.

It is for none of us to take work away from experts.

 

So i agree, simple blogs on terminolgy , function, principles.

Not "you dont need an expert, just read our blogs and diy"

 

 

[Gus Potter]

1 hour ago, saveasteading said:

There is a danger of making what is really complex sound simple. As every project is a one-off there are infinite variations.

There have been correspondents on here who think it is easy, and will cherry pick the bits that suit, while not seeing the consequences...and the building may fall down.

It is for none of us to take work away from experts.

 

So i agree, simple blogs on terminolgy , function, principles.

Not "you dont need an expert, just read our blogs and diy"

 

 

 

 

Mods..

 

I'm fairly new to BH, joined mid 2020. The resource seems to be expanding exponentially. This knowledge base is astounding. I think it is been so successful as you have stuck to the not for profit model. 

 

What are the plans for the future? How much more donations do you need to keep this running? How are you finding the time to run this site?

 

saveasteading.

 

Well articulated.