Post and lintel

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Stonehenge is an example of post and lintel construction

Pre-fabricated, pre-tensioned concrete lintels spanning garage doors.

This article is about the architectural structure. For the Linux platform, see Lintel (Linux).

Post and lintel is a simple construction technique, also called "post and beam", where a horizontal member (the lintel) is supported by two vertical posts at either end. This very simple form is commonly used to support windows and doors.

The biggest disadvantages to this type of construction is the limited weight that can be held up, and the small distances required between the posts. Roman developments of the arch allowed for much larger structures to be constructed.

There are two main forces acting upon the post and lintel: compression and tension. The two posts are under compression from the weight of the lintel (or beam) above. The underside of the lintel is under tension, while the topside is under compression.

1 Lintel
2 Trabeated
3 See also
4 Notes

[edit] Lintel

Lintel in cave temple, India

A lintel or header is a horizontal beam used in the construction of buildings, and is a major architectural contribution of ancient Greece. It usually supports the masonry above a window or door opening. (Also sometimes spelled 'lintol', 'lintil',' lyntil'.)

Lintels may be made of wood, stone, steel or reinforced or pre tensioned concrete.

For example, at Stonehenge, stone lintels top off some of the megaliths. In typical homes today, lintels are commonly used in fireplaces where one will span the opening of the firebox. In this use they are most often steel, either straight for a square opening or arched for a more decorative effect.

[edit] Trabeated

In architecture, a trabeated system or order (from Latin trabs, beam; influenced by trabeatus, clothed in the trabea, a ritual garment) refers to the use of horizontal beams or lintels which are borne up by columns or posts. It is the opposite of the arcuated system, which involves the use of arches.

The trabeated system is the fundamental principle of neolithic architecture, Ancient Greek architecture and Ancient Egyptian architecture. Other trabeated styles are the Persian, Lycian, nearly all the Indian styles, the Chinese, Japanese and South American styles.

In India the style used origninally for wooden constructions, but later the technique was adopted for stone structures.^[1]