This seminar will illustrate the many advantages that masonry lintels in CMU walls provide as they are proven as one of the most effective and efficient methods to span a masonry wall opening. Through the use of project case studies, the many benefits that masonry and the associated veneer lintels will be discussed that support efficient and sensible constructability while positively impacting project cost and schedule. Lessons learned will be shared on how loose or attached veneer lintels address moisture control and air control, movement, insulation continuity, and aesthetic issues.

Learning Objectives:

1.  Review advantages of masonry lintels in CMU walls.
2.  Understand how loose or attached veneer lintels work with masonry lintels in CMU walls for moisture, movement, and thermal control.
3.  Explore various opening head detail examples for lessons learned.
4.  Discover how masonry and veneer lentils support efficient and sensible constructability while positively impacting project cost and schedule.

Jeff Diqui, International Masonry Institute

Mr. Diqui, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering with a major in Structural Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has more than 29 years of experience that has been focused on the building enclosure. Experience has included forensic investigations related to moisture intrusion and structural related problems, structural design, building condition assessments, development of repair / rehabilitation designs, and construction observations. For over a decade, Jeff has been a frequent lecturer nationally to architects, engineers, specifiers, building envelope consultants, contractors, and building officials on subject matter pertaining to the importance of maintaining continuity of air, water, vapor, and thermal controls of the enclosure and the ever-important interface detail. Jeff is actively involved with the building science and architectural / engineering professions. He is Program Director for the Building Enclosure Council (BEC) – Chicago Chapter and Technical Roundtable Committee Member of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) – Chicago Chapter.