Define Post & Lintel Construction

Stonehenge is an ancient example of post and lintel construction.

Prehistoric Stonehenge is an example of early post-and-lintel construction. Its posts are the vertical megaliths that support the lintels, which are the stones laid horizontally across the posts. The basic technique of using columns to support horizontal loads is still used today.

History

The Greek Parthenon is a post-and-lintel design.

Post-and-lintel design dates back to the neolithic era. It was central to ancient Greek and Egyptian architecture. The Romans later discovered arches, which could bear heavier loads and made the massive Coliseum possible.

Disadvantage

The posts in a wood-frame house are called studs.

The website Modern Lingo says the greatest disadvantage of post-and-lintel construction "is the limited weight that can be held up, and the small distances required between the posts" as in the Greek Parthenon. In modern construction, this can be seen during the framing of a house. The posts, better known as "studs," are numerous.

Materials

Steel is a stronger, lighter material.

Ancient post-and-lintel materials included stone, wood and masonry. The strongest modern materials are iron, steel and reinforced concrete. Encyclopedia Brittanica notes that both lintels and posts must support heavy loads without breaking, buckling or twisting. Iron and steel make the best lintels, which are now called "headers" or "beams."

References

• Modern Lingo: Post and Lintel
• Encyclopedia Brittanica: Post and Lintel System