Bridging Strength and Design: Structural Masonry Lintels
Wednesday, November 04, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
1 LU/HSW
Masonry lintels do more than bridge openings. They are essential components of structural wall systems, transferring loads, managing movement, and maintaining envelope continuity. Join us to explore the engineering and detailing principles that make lintels perform effectively in masonry construction.
You’ll learn how to address differential movement between materials, evaluate field-tested design and installation strategies, and select appropriate reinforcement methods. We’ll discuss the benefits of using homogeneous masonry systems to maintain uniform thermal and structural behavior. Through real-world examples, see how well-designed masonry lintels contribute to building resilience, energy efficiency, and structural integrity.
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Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate how properly engineered and installed lintels contribute to the durability, sustainability, and aesthetic cohesion of the overall building envelope.
- Investigate fundamental features of lintels for structural masonry walls.
- Identify differential movement properties between steel and concrete masonry units.
- Explore ways masonry lintels can span large openings through practical design strategies.
About the Speaker
Sunup Mathew, SE, LEEp Ap
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI
Sunup is a structural engineer with more than 20 years of experience in masonry, concrete, and steel design. He has expertise in the design of new structures, evaluation and retrofitting of existing structures, and identification and resolution of field construction problems.
Sunup is an active member of the Masonry Society (TMS), Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards (MACS), and C 12 and C 15 committees of ASTM. He has co-authored structural engineering papers in TMS, American Concrete Institute (ACI), and Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) publications. He actively participated in the editing and drafting of several sections in Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures (TMS 402 and TMS 602), Masonry Designers Guide (MDG), and standards under the jurisdiction of C 12 and C 15 ASTM committees.
