Lintel Design Spreadsheet - Instructions
This spreadsheet is an educational module that shows how masonry beams (lintels) can be designed
for combinations of uniform dead and live loads. The content of this spreadsheet is separated into
several sheets by topic. To navigate to different topics, select the tabs at the bottom of the page.
Instructions (Sheet 1) - A description of how a user will utilize this spreadsheet for the purposes of
designing masonry lintels.
Terms of Use (Sheet 2) - The legal terms and conditions of use of this Lintel Design Spreadsheet are
stated. All users of this educational material must agree to these terms before using the content
herein.
Inputs (Sheet 3) - Input values on this sheet will be used to determine the lintel size and capacity.
Reinforcement
Steel Yield Stress (fy) - Gr. 60 reinforcement is the most common, with a yield stress of 60,000 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (Es) - The modulus of elasticity of steel used herein is 29,000,000 psi
Steel Yield Strain (εs) - Using Hooke's Law, the yield strain is equal to the f y divided by Es
Mortar
Mortar Type - The user can select either Mortar Cement/Portland Cement Lime (PCL) or Masonry
Cement/Air-Entrained PCL. The mortar selected will affect the bond strength,
modulus of rupture (fr), cracked properties, and deflections.
Mortar Type - The user can select either Type M/S or Type N. Typically Type S mortar is used in
loadbearing masonry walls and Type N is used in non-loadbearing walls and
veneers.
Modulus or Rupture (fr) - This value is calculated based upon the mortar selected by the user, using
Table [Link] of the TMS 402/602-16. For lintel design, tensile stresses
are
assumed to act parallel to the bed joints with fully grouted hollow
units.
For exterior walls, the user is also required to check out-of-plane
loading
where flexural tension may be normal to the bed joints.
Masonry
Compressive Strength (f'm) - The user can input a specified compressive strength. The user is
encouraged to request test reports from local users, but not to use
less
than 2000 psi. The specified strength will have minimual impact on
flexural capacity but will greatly affect shear capacity and
maximum
reinforcement requirements.
CMU Density - The user can select a CMU density to meet all structural and architectural
requirements, such as fire rating, sound rating, etc.
Nominal CMU Size - The user can select either 8-inch or 12-inch CMUs.
(Specified) Width - The specified width is taken as 3/8" less than the nominal size of CMU.
Wall Information
Height Above Opening (H) - The user can input the height of the CMU wall above the opening. The
height is used to determine the self weight (dead load) of the wall,
as
well as to check for arching action.
Clear Span Length (L) - The user can input the clear span of the opening. For the purposes of
determining moment and shear, this spreadsheet uses an effective span
Wall Information
Height Above Opening (H) - The user can input the height of the CMU wall above the opening. The
height is used to determine the self weight (dead load) of the wall,
as
well as to check for arching action.
Clear Span Length (L) - The user can input the clear span of the opening. For the purposes of
determining moment and shear, this spreadsheet uses an effective span
length of the clear span plus half of the bearing length on either side.
Vertical Reinforcement Spacing - The user can select a spacing of reinforcement in the wall panel
above the opening. This will be used for determination of
wall
self weight (dead load).
Wall Self Weight - This cell is automatically calculated based on the density of the units and the
reinforcement spacing.
Load Information
Wall Uniform Load - This is automatically calculated based on the wall weight and height above
the opening.
Lintel Uniform Load - This is calculated based on the selected lintel depth on (Sheet 4).
Superimposed Dead Load - The user can input a superimposed dead load. The load is assumed to
act uniformly on the lintel.
Superimposed Live Load - The user can input a superimposed live load. The load is assumed to act
uniformly on the lintel.
Step 1: Check for arching action
Height Above Lintel - This is automatically calculated based on a 16-inch (2 course) lintel. In most
cases, an 8-inch or 16-inch lintel is sufficient for resisting loads resulting
from
arching action.
Effective Span Length - This is automatically calculated as the clear span length plus one half of the
bearing length on each side of the opening. The bearing length is
assumed
as 8 inches.
Height Required for Arching Action - This is calculated as the required height to develop arching
action in the wall and is typically assumed as one half of
the
effective span length.
Is this sufficient? - This is a check cell whether or not there is sufficient wall height above the
opening.
Is opening near a control joint, wall end, or corner? - The user must specify if the opening is near
a movement joint, wall end, or corner
which
would affect the arching action
assumption.
Is arching action possible? - This is a check cell whether or not arching action is possible.
Will you use the arching action assumption? - The user can specify whether or not to use arching
action in their design. This is CRITICAL, and the
user
is cautioned to make an informed selection.
Design (Sheet 4) - Design calculations are performed to evaluate the lintel capacity.
Step 6: Select Lintel Dimensions
Bearing Length - Unless otherwise designed, bearing length is typically taken as 8 inches.
Effective Depth (d) - The user can input an effective depth value. Caution should be taken as
to
the maximum depth that is actually constructible with all clearance
requirements and lintel geometry. Several examples are shown below of
typical "d" dimensions for closed bottom units.
A minimum "d" for bending is calculated in Cell F23 based on maximum
reinforcement requirements.
A minimum "d" for shear is calculated in Cell F30 such that the masonry
has sufficient capacity without the need for shear stirrups.
Height (h) - the user can input a modular height based on the effective depth chosen.
Step 8: Select Reinforcement
Required Area of Reinforcement - This is calculated in Cell N8 based on an internal moment
arm of 0.8d.
Longitudinal Bar Size - The user can select a bar size for the flexural reinforcement in Cell
N10.
Number of Longitudinal bars - The user can select a number of longitundal bars in Cell N13.
Area of Steel - The area of steel is calcualted in Cell N14 based on the user inputs for the
purposes of checking the lintel capacity.
Lintel Design Spreadsheet - Terms and Conditions of Use
PLEASE READ AND ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING
THE LINTEL DESIGN SPREADSHEET.
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Known Values Step 1: Check for archin
Reinforcement Height above lintel (ass
Steel Yield Stress (fy): 60000 psi Effective span length:
Modulus of Elasticity (Es): 29000000 psi Height required for arch
Steel Yield Strain (εs): 0.00207 psi Is this sufficient?
Mortar Is opening near joint, w
Mortar: Masonry Cement/Air Entrained PCL
Mortar Type (M, S, N, O): M or S Is arching action possib
Modulus of Rupture (fr): 160 psi
Will you use the archin
Masonry
Compressive Strength (f'm): 2000 psi
CMU Density: 135 pcf
Nominal CMU Size: 8-inch
Width (b): 7.625 in
Wall Information
Height Above Opening (H): 10 ft 8 in
10.667 ft
Clear Span Length (L): 5 ft 4 in
5.333 ft
Vertical Reinforcement Spacing: 32 in
Wall Self Weight: 51 psf
Load Information
Wall Uniform Load (wd,wall): 476.00 plf
Lintel Uniform Load (wd,lintel): 114.67 plf
Superimposed Dead Load (wd,s): 500 plf
Total Dead Load (wd): 1090.667 plf
Superimposed Live Load (wl): 500 plf
Step 1: Check for arching action
Height above lintel (assuming 2-course lintel) 104 in
Effective span length: 72 in
Height required for arching action: 44 in
Is this sufficient? YES
Is opening near joint, wall end, corner? No
Is arching action possible? YES
Will you use the arching action assumption No
Step 2: Determine Mu and Vu Step 7: Solve for required ar
(1.2D) (1.4D)
Factored Lintel Uniform Load (wu,dl): 137.6 plf 160.5333 plf Required Area of Reinforcem
Factored Wall Uniform Load (wu,dw): 571.2 plf 666.4 plf
Factored Superimposed Dead Load (w u,ds): 600 plf 700 plf Step 8: Select reinforcement
(1.6L) Required area of steel reinfo
Factored Superimposed Live Load (wu,l: 800 plf
Longitudinal Bar Size (No.):
Maximum Shear Force (Vmax) at support: 5623.5 lb Longitudinal Bar Diameter (d
Longitudinal Bar Area (Ab):
Design Moment (Mu): 7498.0 ft-lb Number of Longitudinal Bars
89975.47 in-lb Area of Steel (As):
Step 3: Determine maximum steel reinforcement ratio (ρmax) Step 9: Check for maximum
Strain Multiplier (α): 1.5 Actual Reinforcement Ratio (
Maximum Reinforcement Ratio (ρmax): 0.00952
Step 10: Solve for factored m
Step 4: Solve for d (effective depth) using ρmax
Depth of stress block (a):
Effective Depth (d): 5.36 in Nominal Moment Capacity (M
Factored Moment Capacity (
Step 5: Solve for dv (actual depth of member for shear) to elimate shear reinforcement
Flexural Utilization:
Mu/Vudv Ratio: 1.0
Maximum Shear Force (Vmax) at support: 5623.5 lb Step 11: Check for minimum
Required Depth of Member (dv): 9.16 in Cracking Moment (Mcr):
Required Flexural Strength (1
Step 6: Select lintel dimensions Actual Flexural Strength:
Bearing Length: 8 in Step 12: Solve for masonry s
Effective Depth (d): 13 in
Height (h): 16 in Design Shear at d/2 from Sup
Width (b): 7.625 in
Shear Capacity of Masonry (V
Limiting Shear Capacity (Vn,ma
Nominal Shear Capacity (Vn):
Factored Shear Capacity (φV
Shear Utilization:
Step 7: Solve for required area of reinforcement assuming (d - a/2) = 0.8d Step 12: Check Deflection
Required Area of Reinforcement (A s,req): 0.160 in2 Unfactored Dead Load (wD):
Unfactored Live Load (wL):
Step 8: Select reinforcement Unfactored Uniform Load (wu):
Applied Moment (Ma):
Required area of steel reinforcement (A s,req): 0.160 in2
Cracking Moment (Mcr):
Longitudinal Bar Size (No.): 6
Longitudinal Bar Diameter (db): 0.75 in Net Moment of Inertia (In):
Longitudinal Bar Area (Ab): 0.44 in 2
Number of Longitudinal Bars: 1 Moduluar Ratio (n):
Area of Steel (As): 0.44 in 2
(ρn):
k:
Step 9: Check for maximum amount of steel for ductile behavior kd:
Actual Reinforcement Ratio (ρ): 0.00444 Cracked Moment of Inertia (Icr):
Step 10: Solve for factored moment capacity (φMn) Effective Moment of Inertia (Ieff):
Depth of stress block (a): 2.164 in Deflection:
Nominal Moment Capacity (Mn): 314636.1 in-lb
Factored Moment Capacity (φMn): 283172.5 in-lb L/600 Deflection Limit:
Flexural Utilization: 32%
Step 11: Check for minimum amount of steel required
Cracking Moment (Mcr): 52053.33 in-lb
Required Flexural Strength (1.3Mcr): 67669.33 in-lb
Actual Flexural Strength: ### in-lb
Step 12: Solve for masonry shear capacity
Design Shear at d/2 from Support (Vu): 4481.2 lb
Shear Capacity of Masonry (Vnm): 9974.26 lb
Limiting Shear Capacity (Vn,max): 17732.02 lb
Nominal Shear Capacity (Vn): 9974.26 lb
Factored Shear Capacity (φVn): 7979.41 lb
Shear Utilization: 56%
wD): 1090.67 lb/ft
wL): 500.00 lb/ft
ad (wu): 1590.67 lb/ft
5655.70 ft-lb
67868.44444444 in-lb
52053 in-lb
(In): 2602.67 in4
16.11
0.072
0.313
4.07 in
rtia (Icr): 736.66 in4
ertia (Ieff): 1578.55 in4
0.01 in
0.107 in
Bar Size, No. Nominal Diameter, in. (db) Nominal Area, in2 (Ab)
- - -
3 0.375 0.11
4 0.500 0.2
5 0.625 0.31
6 0.750 0.44
7 0.875 0.6
8 1.000 0.79
9 1.128 1
10 1.270 1.27
11 1.410 1.56
14 1.693 2.25
18 2.257 4
-
M or S
N
Nominal Wegiht, lb/ft
- -
0.376 0
0.668 1
1.043 2
1.502 3
2.044 4
2.67 5
3.4 6
4.303 7
5.313 8
7.65
13.6
-
Roof 180
Floor 360
- -
Yes 480
No 240
- -
8-inch 7.625
12-inch 11.625
-
0
1
2
3
4
- -
Simply supported 16
One end continuous 18.5
Both ends continuous 21
Cantilever 8
- -
3 1
6 1.2
12 1.4
60+ 2
-
8
16
24
32
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
112
120
Masonry Cement/Air Entrained PCL
- - -
M or S 160 M or S
N 100 N
-
Masonry Cement/Air Entrained PCL
PCL/Mortar Cement
-
85
95
105
115
125
135
PCL/Mortar Cement 8-inch
- 85 95 105 115 125
267 - - - - - -
200 8 73 76 78 81 84
16 49 52 55 57 60
24 41 44 47 49 52
32 37 40 43 45 48
40 35 38 40 43 46
48 33 36 39 41 44
56 32 35 38 40 43
64 31 34 37 39 42
72 31 33 36 39 41
80 30 33 35 38 41
88 30 32 35 38 40
96 29 32 35 37 40
104 29 32 34 37 40
112 29 31 34 37 39
120 28 31 34 37 39
-
Yes
No
Weight
-
8-inch 86
12-inch 132
12-inch
135 85 95 105 115 125 135
- - - - - - -
86 8 114 118 121 125 128 132
63 16 73 77 80 84 87 90
55 24 59 63 66 70 73 77
51 32 52 56 59 63 66 70
48 40 48 52 55 59 62 66
47 48 46 49 53 56 59 63
46 56 44 47 51 54 57 61
45 64 42 46 49 53 56 59
44 72 41 44 48 51 55 58
44 80 40 44 47 50 54 57
43 88 39 43 46 50 53 57
43 96 39 42 46 49 53 56
42 104 38 42 45 49 52 55
42 112 38 41 45 48 52 55
42 120 37 41 44 48 51 55
16-inch
85 95 105 115 125 135
-
8 156 160 164 168 173 177
16 97 101 105 109 114 118
24 77 81 85 90 94 98
32 67 71 76 80 84 88
40 61 65 70 74 78 82
48 57 61 66 70 74 78
56 54 59 63 67 71 75
64 52 56 61 65 69 73
72 51 55 59 63 67 71
80 49 54 58 62 66 70
88 48 52 57 61 65 69
96 47 52 56 60 64 68
104 47 51 55 59 63 67
112 46 50 54 58 63 67
120 45 50 54 58 62 66