> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://enercalc.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://enercalc.com/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/beams/masonry-lintel.md).
# Masonry Beam
Overview of the masonry beam and lintel module's inputs and outputs for vertical and lateral load design.
This module provides analysis and design for masonry beams and lintels subject to vertical and lateral loads. Beams can have fixed or pinned ends for most typical conditions, and the user can specify rebar sets within the depth of the beam.
Vertical loads can be dead and live uniform and concentrated loads. A beam can have up to four loads of each type, and the uniform loads can be full or partial length.
The module also provides analysis for both seismic and wind loads. Wind load can be specified as well as seismic factors that apply to the beam's weight.
To allow the module to model different masonry block types, you can specify either lightweight or medium weight block, and additionally enter a self-weight multiplication factor.
For both the vertical and lateral bending and shear directions, the module calculates allowable bending moments and shear stresses. Also, for both directions, actual moments and shears due to all entered loads are calculated. Final results consist of combined stress ratio calculations for all combinations or dead, live, seismic, and wind vertical and lateral moments and shears.
**Unique Features**
* This module calculates all vertical and lateral moments and shears and combines them for all possible stress ratios. This provides a thorough evaluation of combined stresses for seismic and wind design.
* The module also provides the ability to modify the material weight, automatically reverse seismic and/or wind loadings, and model both fix-fix and pin-pin end fixity conditions.
**Assumptions & Limitations**
When the beam's fixity is set to Fixed, both vertical and lateral bending are considered fixed.
## Inputs Window
### General & Materials
This tab provides data entry for the beam dimensions, material properties and lateral loads.
**Span** and **Lintel Depth** are used to calculate the beam bending and shears.
**Thickness** is the nominal masonry thickness. The true thickness is determined from internal tables.
**End Fixity** controls whether the analysis will consider the lintel to be pinned or fixed.
**Beam is Fully Braced** dictates whether the module checks the unbraced length or not.
**Auto add beam self weight as Dead Load** tells the module to calculate the member self-weight and add it as a uniform vertical load across the full span.
**Calculate Shear at d/2 from edge** controls the critical location for the shear check.
**Material Data** defines the allowable stresses for masonry and reinforcing steel.
**Wall Weight Multiplier** allows the user to factor the lintel self-weight that is pulled from internal tables.
**Block Type** selects the density of the CMU used for self-weight.
**Modulus of Rupture** collects MOR for masonry.
**Design Method** provides the option to select Allowable Stress Design or Strength Design.
### Reinforcing
This tab allows you to specify the longitudinal reinforcing in the beam.
{% hint style="info" %}
**NOTE:** All longitudinal reinforcing bars are assumed to be fully developed. No attempt is made to compare the moment diagram with a longitudinal rebar development diagram, so engineering judgment should be applied in situations where end fixity is assumed and/or where heavy concentrated loads cause significant moments at locations close to the development zone of the provided reinforcement.
{% endhint %}
**Rebar Size:** Enter the rebar size used for all longitudinal bar sets to be used in the lintel.
**Bars Each Face (checkbox):** Selected implies that the lintel is reinforced with two layers of reinforcing separated by the value specified in the "Bar Spacing" input.
Deselected implies that the lintel is reinforced with one layer of reinforcing located at the middle of the width of the lintel.
The beam below **DOES** have bars each face:
The beam below does **NOT** have bars each face:
**Bar Spacing:** This is the clear distance between the bars on each face in a bar set. It is assumed that the bar set is centered within the width of the lintel. The value of "d" used for lateral bending strength calculations is calculated as: Actual Masonry Thickness - (Actual Masonry Thickness - Bar Spacing) / 2
**# Bars Each Location:** Enter the number of individual rebars to consider at each reinforced location.
The beam below has **one** bar at each reinforced location:
The beam below has **three** bars at each reinforced location:
Rebar Distance from Top & Bottom of Beam to Centerline of rebar group Distance from the top and bottom of the member to the center of area of the respective bar set. These distances will be used as "d" for vertical bending strength calculations.
**# Bar Sets:** Enter the number of bar sets in the lintel. A value of one indicates that the lintel has bottom reinforcing only.
The beam below has **one** bar set:
The beam below has **two** bar sets:
The beam below has **three** bar sets:
**Shear Reinforcement:** Select **Yes** to specify the vertical shear reinforcement used in the lintel. The results then reflect the allowable and actual shear stress ratios.
### Loads
This tab allows you to specify all loads applied to the lintel.
**Point Loads and Distributed Loads**
The Point Loads and Distributed Loads categories are assumed to be vertical loads.
**Lateral Loads**
The Lateral Loads category allows you to specify wind and seismic loads that are applied horizontally, perpendicular to the span of the lintel.
**Lateral Wind Loads:** This is a wind pressure which acts along the entire span length and depth of the beam. The resulting lateral demands are based on an equivalent uniform line load equal to the product of the wind pressure and the beam depth.
**Lateral Wall Weight Seismic Weight Factor:** This is a multiplier applied to the lintel's self-weight to create a laterally applied uniform load.
### Load Combinations
This is the typical load combination tab used throughout **SEL**.
## Outputs Window
### Calculations
#### Results
This tab summarizes the calculated moments, shears and combined stress ratios for the lintel.
Ratios for bending and shear are provided for both vertical and lateral load applications as well as an SRSS calculation for combined vertical & lateral stresses from the controlling load combination.
**Allowable Maximum Tension As** represents the maximum permissible cross-sectional area of flexural tensile reinforcement. It ensures the net tensile strain $$\epsilon\_t$$ meets the TMS limits:
For TMS 402-16: $$\epsilon\_t = \frac{1.5 f\_y}{E\_s}$$ *\[§ 9.3.3.2.1(a)]*.
For TMS 402-22: $$\epsilon\_t = 0.003 + \frac{f\_y}{E\_s}$$ *\[§ 9.3.3.2.4 and Table 9.1.4]*.
Where:
* $$a$$ is the equivalent rectangular stress-block depth.
* $$b$$ is the lintel width.
* $$E\_s$$ is the reinforcement modulus of elasticity.
* $$f'\_m$$ is the specified masonry compressive strength.
* $$f\_y$$ is the reinforcement yield strength.
Using the principles of similar triangles based on the elastic strain distribution, the value for As,max can be solved for directly.
#### M & V Results
This tab provides full details for all actual and allowable stresses for all load combinations.
#### Design Values Tab
This tab summarizes allowable stress calculations. When ASD is used, the tab looks like this:
And when SD is used, the tab looks like this:
### 2D Sketch
#### Span & Loads
#### Cross Section
### 3D Rendering
---
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