Spanning Openings in Brick Walls

Lintels are typically made from reinforced concrete, steel angles, or steel-reinforced brick masonry. These materials provide the strength needed to support loads from the wall above openings. Lintels are straightforward to install and are usually hidden within the brickwork, making them invisible in the completed structure.

Corbels offer limited spanning capability compared to lintels and are best suited for small openings or decorative purposes. They function as supporting brackets for beams, adding both functional and aesthetic value. Lintels, by contrast, are primary supports designed to span larger openings and carry substantial loads from the wall above.

Gauged brick arches require each brick to be individually rubbed to a wedge shape, making them expensive to construct but architecturally refined. Rough arches depend on wedge-shaped mortar joints to form their curvature, reducing labor costs. Both methods create powerful structural forms, though gauged arches demand greater precision and craftsmanship.

Centering is a temporary wooden or steel framework that supports the arch structure during construction. It holds the bricks and mortar in place until the arch becomes self-supporting and gains sufficient strength. Once the arch is complete and cured, the centering is removed, leaving the arch to carry loads independently.

Brick manufacturers can custom-produce tapered bricks specifically designed for arches, accommodating various shapes and spans. These tapered bricks allow architects to create arches tailored to unique structural and aesthetic needs without requiring extensive on-site shaping or rubbing of individual bricks.

When an arch is extended perpendicularly to its plane, it creates a barrel vault. When the same arch is rotated about its vertical centerline, it forms a dome. These three-dimensional adaptations maintain the arch's structural efficiency while creating complex architectural spaces.

Brick arches demand precise construction because their structural integrity depends on accurate brick placement, proper wedge-shaped joints, and correct centering support. Unlike lintels, which are prefabricated units simply installed in place, arches must be built piece-by-piece with exact geometry to distribute loads effectively across the curved form.