Effect of lintel on horizontal load-carrying capacity in post-beam structure

This study is aimed to evaluate whether lintel has structural effect because it has not been categorized as a structural member. This study experimentally evaluated the horizontal load-carrying capacity of post-beam timber frame structures with bi-linear model and energy dissipation mechanism. To evaluate the effect on horizontal performance of lintel which has been widely used as wall frame in Korean traditional post-beam structure, two frames were tested in different types. One had no lintel and the other one had lintel at the height of 800 mm, respectively. Cyclic loading tests were conducted for each frame according to the standard loading protocol. Frame which had lintel showed slightly higher stiffness. And it showed noticeably significant energy dissipation performance after yield point of the joint. And that leads to the conclusion that lintel has structural effect and it should be considered as an important factor when evaluating horizontal performance of the structure after yield point of the joint.