How strong is a concrete lintel?

Markbon · 18 Oct 2012

Hello. I have a 140 mm x 65 mm concrete lintel over a 2.4m window. and would like to hang tiles on the wall but not sure if it will take the extra weight. There is only one bar through it but plenty of bearing ie over 150mm each side. There are concrete blocks above but not that many on one side as its tha gable of a bungalow.
Cheers.

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 18 Oct 2012

How do you know there is only 1 bar in it?
Seems a bit undersized for a 2400mm window opening, how long as it been there?

Markbon · 18 Oct 2012

Apparently about 2 years.
I cut out the half brick brick next to it to see how wide it was.

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 18 Oct 2012

So the bar is exposed, has it been treated or is it stainless?
Is it external or internal head and do you have one on each leaf?

Markbon · 18 Oct 2012

The bars covered now I put the half batt back.
This lintel is the outside leaf. There is a concrete one over the inner wall. I think its a 100mm one (wide) not sure how thick it is but its been there 40yrs.
The blocks above are layed on their side (slabbed) and are hollow 4 inch.

tony1851 · 19 Oct 2012

The simple answer is that only the manuacturer of the beam will know. They usually publish tables showing safe loads for different beam sizes over different spans, but who knows the manufacturer?
Most of these beams are 'pre-stressed', in which a tension is applied to the steel bar before the concrete has set, and only the manufacturer will know the pre-stress.

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How strong is a concrete lintel?

Markbon

PrenticeBoyofDerry

Markbon

PrenticeBoyofDerry

Markbon

tony1851

DIYnot Local

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