Post+and+Lintel



Post and lintel is a construction technique where a horizontal member is supported by two vertical posts at each end. This very simple form is commonly used to support the weight of the structure located above the openings in a bearing wall created by windows and doors.

Materials of Post and Lintel
It is often constructed with stone, wood or reinforced concrete.

Purpose of Post and Lintel
The purpose of the lintel is to handle the weight that rests on it without deforming or cracking. The purpose of the post is to support the lintel or header and its weight without crushing or collapsing.

Advantages
This is a very strong technique when the structure is level and gravity pulls down evenly on the structure.

Disadvantages
There is a limited weight that the posts and lintels can take, therefore the structure can not be very high. Roman developments of the arch allowed for much larger structures to be constructed.