Concrete lintels: scope, manufacturing and types

In modern construction there are many different structural elements that have a strictly defined purpose and at the same time must correspond to specific sizes. This is especially important if certain loads or various mechanical actions are imposed on them. That is why when the conversation comes over the size - concrete lintels and similar constructions are remembered first of all.

Purpose

The main objective of such products is to hold a brick or other piece material over the hole, which will serve as a window or door opening. At the same time, they themselves become part of the laying, creating the beginning of a series.

Given the strictly defined purpose and responsibility of this area of ​​the building, it is not recommended to use in this area diamond drilling of holes in concrete. Also cutting is completely excluded, since it is necessary to create jumpers that are ideally suited in size, and not weaken the structure by mechanical effects of this kind.

It is worth remembering that such products are important, not only their length, which should be chosen according to the width of the opening, but also other dimensions. The fact is that they affect the distribution of loads in the wall and the quality of the masonry in this area.

Tip! The design of the buildings must be specified not only the size of the jumpers, but also their type. It is prohibited to use other types of these products, even if they are suitable in size.

Kinds

At present, all such elements are either manufactured independently or are created at enterprises. However, they have a lot of advantages and disadvantages that distinguish them from each other.

Factory construction

• The jumpers are usually made of cellular concrete according to GOST. The same applies to other structures of this type, since they must withstand certain loads and have appropriate dimensions.
• Considering that most windows have standard dimensions, the company produces a certain number of types of its products. However, if necessary, it makes concessions to construction companies, creating unique lintels on individual projects.

• One of the main advantages of such products is that they go through all the processes of their manufacture right at the factory, including standing for 90 days.. Therefore, these elements are immediately ready for operation and will not waste time during installation.
• You can also be confident in the quality of such material, since each batch has its own quality certificate, which is responsible for compliance with the standards..

Tip! Professional craftsmen prefer to order such items from proven manufacturers, along with other similar designs. The fact is that not only the strength of the building, but also the safety of people in it depends on their quality.

Homemade jumpers

For a start it is worth saying that there are jumpers from aerated concrete and even from foam concrete. At the same time, their main difference is not strength, but the size, which should correspond to the blocks used.

Therefore, if there is an opportunity to purchase such jumpers together with the main material, then it is best to do it immediately, rather than engage in independent creation.

• It is important to note that such work significantly reduces the pace of construction and can sometimes lead to costs that significantly exceed the real cost of the finished product.

• The main advantage of this method of installation is that the final product will not only fit perfectly in size, but will also become a real monolithic part of the wall.
• It is not necessary to customize a ready-made structure for a given dimension, even if it uses reinforced concrete cutting with diamond circles. Such bridges will have points of tension and will not be able to have the necessary strength.

• It is believed that in order for concrete to gain the necessary strength, it must last about 90 days. However, sometimes the builders do not have such a time, and they begin to assemble in a month, trying to distribute the load gradually and evenly.

Tip! To increase the speed of drying, you can use a cloth moistened with ammonia solution. It will draw moisture much faster than the environment, even with moderate heating.

Self-manufacturing process

Usually aerated concrete lintels are produced using special equipment. Therefore, in this case, you need to create a structure of reinforced concrete. However, to insulate the product, it is possible to add expanded clay in order to bring its properties closer to those that have materials used for walls.

Formwork

• Initially, a form of a window opening with seats is created. At the same time lay brick a few rows above, the proposed location of the lintel.
• After that, you need to create a formwork, which not only will repeat the shape of the final product, but will be able to fix on the wall. Moreover, if jumpers are created for aerated concrete blocks, it is possible to fix the structure directly in the opening, creating a support for the lower part.

• At the bottom of the formwork it is necessary to lay a layer of film, which will prevent the spontaneous outflow of moisture from the inside. The fact is that cement will come out with the liquid, which will greatly weaken the wall.
• Some window lintels for aerated concrete are created with a height of one row from the selected material. However, in case of independent production, formwork can be used to take the place of two rows, which significantly increases the technical characteristics of the final product.

Tip! As the material is best to use moisture-resistant plywood. It holds the size perfectly and does not get wet.

Reinforcement

If the manufacturing process is done by hand, then you should not use old metal or pieces of reinforcement for this.

The fact is that the material should be located along the entire length of the opening.

• With independent production, professional craftsmen recommend using a metal corner, which is placed in two rows along the edges, and the rest of the volume is filled with reinforcement.

• It is worth noting that all elements are installed on special stands. Their price is low, but precisely because of them the metal will be located at the required distance and will not come out.

Tip! Tying all the elements is best done using steel wire. So the final product will have a certain flexibility, which does not have a design using welded joints.

Concreting

Claydite-concrete lintels are the easiest to create, since it is sufficient to mix the cement with sand and water, and then add the clay itself to the composition. In this case, after pouring it is very important to make a seal, and even better to use a vibrator. So all substances are completely distributed in the formwork volume.

If it is necessary to create foam concrete lintels, then, first of all, it is necessary to purchase a special blowing agent, which is usually sold in the markets of building materials. It is worth noting that this substance has different parameters and therefore the instructions for preparing the solution should be relied upon. Clearly following her instructions, prepare the mixture, which is poured into the formwork, but without using a vibrator.

It must be said that the lintels of foam concrete will also have all the qualities that the walls themselves, if they are made of the same material. Therefore, this method in recent times give greater preference.

Tip! Some masters remove the formwork immediately after solidification of the composition. However, professional masters recommend doing it no earlier than two weeks.

Conclusion

After reading the video in this article, you can get more information about this element of the building structure. Also based on the article above, it is necessary to conclude that the independent production of such parts is a rather laborious process, which also takes a lot of time. That is why it is best to buy ready-made jumpers, because it is safer and more practical.