{"id":32615,"date":"2024-04-24T14:48:16","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T12:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biblus.accasoftware.com\/en\/?p=32615"},"modified":"2024-10-01T12:31:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T10:31:36","slug":"steel-lintel-on-existing-masonry-use-cases-and-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblus.accasoftware.com\/en\/steel-lintel-on-existing-masonry-use-cases-and-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Steel Lintel on existing masonry: use cases and benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why installing a steel lintel enhances the strength and seismic response of existing masonry.<\/p>\n


\nInstalling a steel lintel on existing masonry<\/strong> is one of the most effective reinforcement measures to prevent walls overturning and to absorb horizontal forces during seismic events.<\/p>\n

This article explores the types of steel lintels to choose from, how to install them, their impact on the overall seismic behavior of a masonry building, and how they reduce seismic vulnerability associated with improving existing masonry using a structural masonry analysis software<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Types of Lintel for Seismic Improvement of Masonry Buildings<\/h2>\n

Constructing a lintel (inter-floor or roof) is often necessary to ensure a box-like behavior<\/strong> of existing masonry buildings. Lintels can be built using various construction techniques. Each material has its pros and cons that can influence the overall behavior of the building and even compromise its stability during seismic events.
\nUntil the 1990s, the most common intervention type for restoring historic masonry buildings was undoubtedly the construction of reinforced concrete lintels<\/strong>, placed at the top of the building. However, this widely used technique soon proved to be ineffective or even dangerous during seismic events and was gradually replaced by other intervention types. Experience showed that buildings that had undergone this type of intervention often suffered recognizable damages: heavily damaged masonry (in many cases completely disintegrated) and perfectly intact concrete lintels.<\/p>\n

Why does this happen?<\/p>\n

This results in the so-called “beam effect<\/strong>.” In practice, the rigid reinforced concrete lintel, compared to the poor quality of the underlying masonry, transfers the weight of the roof mainly to the corners of the building. As a result, the central portion of the masonry is left unloaded and, without the effect of vertical load, is more susceptible to overturning or disintegration phenomena. Thus, constructing highly stiffening elements on top of low-quality masonry can lead to the collapse of the masonry itself due to disintegration. The seismic force concentrates on elements with lower stiffness, causing severe damage to the masonry.<\/p>\n

One solution to mitigate this phenomenon could be to improve the cohesion, strength, and anchorage of masonry panels<\/strong>, as well as the stiffness of the coping itself. To ensure that the masonry panel maintains its cohesion even in the event of an earthquake, interventions such as:<\/p>\n