Introduction : Arch and lintel are provided above doors, windows and passages.

The function
of an arch and a lintel is to carry the weight of the structure above the opening.

Lintel : A lintel or lintol is a structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between
two vertical supports. It can also say that A lintel is a horizontal member used to span openings
in walls. Lintels provided over windows are connected to a sunshade to provide shade and
shelter. It functions similar to that of an arch. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a
combined ornamented structural item. It is often found over portals, doors, windows and
fireplaces. In the case of windows, the bottom span is instead referred to as a sill, but, unlike a
lintel, does not serve to bear a load to ensure the integrity of the wall. Modern day lintels are
made using prestressed concrete and are also referred to as beams in beam and block slabs or
ribs in rib and block slabs. These prestressed concrete lintels and blocks are components that
are packed together and propped to form a suspended floor concrete slab.Centring for lintels
are much simpler than that of arches.

Arches : An arch is a curved structural form that carries loads around an opening, transferring
them around the profile of the arch to abutments, jambs or piers on either side. In an arch
because of the shape, the blocks support each other by the mutual pressure of their own weight
and the structure remains in position by the resistance from the supports.

Arches have been a prominent feature in architecture since the time of the Etruscans who are
credited with its invention, although the Romans developed it further and spread its use. The
techniques involved in designing and constructing arches have since developed into many other
structural forms, including vaults, arcades and bridges.

Arches are compressive structures, that is, there are no tensile stresses. They are self-
supporting, stabilised by the force of gravity acting on their weight to hold them in compression.
This makes them very stable and efficient, capable of larger spans, and supporting greater
loads than horizontal beams.

The downward load of an arch must be transferred to its foundations. The outward thrust
exerted by an arch at its base must be restrained, either by its own weight or the weight of
supporting walls, by buttressing or foundations, or by an opposing tie between the two sides.
The outward thrust increases as the height, or rise, of the arch decreases.

Difference : Structural Difference between Arch and Lintel are like this

ARCH:
 a) An arch is a curved structure that a space. Sometimes we find flat one also.

b) It may or may not support weight above it.

c) it is a pure compression form.

d) It can span a large area by resolving forces into compressive stresses and, in turn
eliminating tensile stresses.

e) These mostly found in openings,in bridges etc.

f) we can find stone arch,brick built arch,concrete arches,sometimes wooden arch also.

LINTEL:

a) A lintel is a structural horizontal block that spans the space. It is just like a simple small
horizontal beam.

b) It can be mostly a load-bearing building component,very less a decorative architectural

element or a combined ornamented structural item.

c) It behave like a beam carries only transverse loads and it doesn’t carry any horizontal
reactions on either supports like in arches.

d) It is often found over portals,doors,windows and fire places.

e) we can find mostly precasted concrete lintel,wooden lintel, we use reinforcement also in
these.Even I saw on arches also they provide lintels to support load and to make
ornamental arches.