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linteau

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n. m. · lintel (US and UK)

Definition

FR
Élément horizontal (béton armé, acier, pierre ou bois) placé au-dessus d'une ouverture dans un mur, qui reprend les charges du mur situé au-dessus et les reporte sur les côtés. Il s'appuie sur la maçonnerie de chaque côté de la baie.
EN
A horizontal element (reinforced concrete, steel, stone or timber) above an opening in a wall, which carries the load of the wall above and passes it to the sides. It bears on the masonry on each side of the opening.

Diagram

baieopeninglinteaulinteltableaureveal (jamb)appuisillallègesill wall (approx.)Élévation d'une baie · schéma de principe, non à l'échelle
Elevation of an opening in a wall. The lintel is in color.

Example sentences

Written (email, official document)

FRLe linteau repose de chaque côté de la baie sur la maçonnerie, sans jamais porter sur la menuiserie.

ENThe lintel rests on the masonry on each side of the opening, never on the window frame.

Spoken (standard)

FRLe linteau de la baie du salon, c'est du préfabriqué ou du coulé en place ?

ENIs the lintel over the living room opening precast or cast in place?

Spoken (informal)

FRLe maçon a oublié le linteau au-dessus de la porte, on est mal.

ENThe mason forgot the lintel above the door, we're in trouble.

Nuances and pitfalls

Linteau (n. m.), poutre, chaînage. A linteau is the small beam that spans an opening. A larger or continuous one is simply called a poutre (beam), and the chaînage horizontal is the ring that ties the walls together: it can sometimes act as a lintel. On site, the same element may change name depending on its function.

Precast, cast in place or steel. You will find precast concrete linteaux, linteaux cast in place in formwork (often a U-shaped block) and steel linteaux (angles or sections).

Related terms

baieallègetableauchaînage horizontal

Regulatory and standard references

France
US
UK
NF DTU 20.1 (ouvrages en maçonnerie de petits éléments)? Not verified
TMS 402/602 (masonry structures: code and specification)? Not verified
BS EN 1996-1-1 (Eurocode 6, masonry structures)? Not verified

Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.

Validation

Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 7 Oct 2026

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