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Expert: - 3/6/2004


Question
respected sir,

             could you state in detail by giving
"points" :-

    1)the functions of:-(A)arches.
                         (B)lintels.

    2)the relative merits of lintels over arches.

            plz give answers as seperate points.

Answer
Hi

The main difference between lintels and arches is that the former is straight and horizontal while the arch is curved, and usually a semi-circle. The lintel works by resisting the load through bending and shear (an so usually need to be reinforced with rebar), whilst the arch carries the load through axial compression and so does not need rebar.

That is why arches can me bad of brickwork or masonry, but lintels usually need to be mad from reinforced concrete. Very short span lintels (or those which are deep in relation to the span) can work un-reinforced.

Arches are very economical where depth of structures is not a restriction, but they do need rigid supports at both ends to resist both vertivcal and horizontal reaction forces. Lintels do not need so much depth and they only require vertical supports (no horizontal thrust is generated).

I hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad  

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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