AAC Products
AAC Reinforced Lintels
AAC reinforced lintels are designed to support openings in AAC wall systems, helping maintain material continuity around doors, windows, and other project-specific openings. MHE Group is a global AAC producer producing and delivering AAC building systems at its associated AERCON plant, backed by 40+ years of AAC engineering, factory development, installation, and project delivery expertise.
When to choose Reinforced Lintels
Choose reinforced lintels for door and window openings that can be bridged by a factory-made element. The lintel arrives with its reinforcement in place and is set directly on the wall, with no formwork, grouting, or curing on site. Where a continuous bond beam or a non-standard opening is required, AAC U-blocks filled on site are the alternative.
Applications
- Door and window openings
- AAC wall systems with repeated opening modules
- Residential, commercial, and industrial wall construction
- Projects that require compatible AAC opening components
Technical data (ICC-ES ESR-4740)
The AERCON plant in Haines City, Florida, which produces the AAC products MHE Group supplies in the United States, holds ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-4740 for AERCON AAC blocks and lintels (reissued May 2026, valid through May 2027). The values below are quoted from Table 2 of that report. They are material design values for strength categories AC-4 and AC-6, not whole-wall or whole-assembly ratings; the final design is confirmed by the project engineer.
| Property | AC-4 | AC-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal dry density | 31 pcf (500 kg/m³) | 40 pcf (600 kg/m³) |
| Minimum compressive strength of masonry, f′m | 570 psi | 855 psi |
| Allowable compressive strength of masonry | 140 psi | 210 psi |
| Allowable flexural compressive strength | 190 psi | 285 psi |
| Allowable flexural tensile strength | 24 psi | 24 psi |
| Allowable shear strength | 15 psi | 22 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity, E | 260,000 psi | 360,000 psi |
| Thermal conductivity, k≈ 0.14 and 0.18 W/m·K | 0.97 Btu·in/(ft²·h·°F) | 1.25 Btu·in/(ft²·h·°F) |
| Thermal resistance per inch, R/in (computed as 1 ÷ k)Material value, not a whole-wall R-value. Example: an 8 in AC-4 wall ≈ R-8.2 | ≈ 1.03 | ≈ 0.80 |
| Design dead weight of masonry | 37 pcf | 47 pcf |
Fire resistance
- Standard Blocks at least 6 in (150 mm) thick: 4-hour fire-resistance rating for both bearing and nonbearing walls (ASTM E119), with block density between 25 and 43 pcf (400–650 kg/m³), laid in running bond with AERCON thin-bed mortar.
- For bearing walls the load is limited to 11,560 lbf/ft (168.7 kN/m) at a height of ten feet.
- The material is noncombustible per ASTM E136.
Further reading: AAC fire safety and what AAC is, and how AAC blocks compare with concrete blocks. For wider comparisons, see fire-resistant wall systems, building materials for hurricane-prone areas and lightweight vs traditional concrete construction.
Product sizes listed in ESR-4740
| Product | Length | Height | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lintel | up to 19 ft 4 in | 8, 12, 16, 24 in | 8, 10, 12 in |
- Dimensional tolerance 1/16 in (1.5 mm) for all dimensions.
Source: ICC-ES ESR-4740 (PDF), Tables 1 and 2, held by AERCON Florida, LLC, Haines City, Florida. Compliance basis: ASTM C1386, C1693 and C1694 (material and reinforcement), ASTM E119 (fire tests), ASTM E136 (noncombustibility), for the IBC and IRC. Report status can be checked at icc-es.org; values on this page are updated when the report is reissued.
Technical Considerations
- Span, bearing length, reinforcement, and load conditions must be confirmed from current product data and engineering review.
- Lintel selection should be coordinated with block dimensions and opening schedules.
- Do not use generic lintel capacities without project-specific confirmation.
Design and Installation Notes
- Request current lintel tables and documentation before specification.
- Coordinate lintel bearing with wall coursing and opening schedules.
- Confirm whether project conditions require reinforced concrete, steel, or AAC lintel alternatives.
Completed projects
For completed load-bearing AAC block projects, see AAC blocks.
More projects are listed in the North American AAC project reference list.
Related AAC Product Paths
- AAC Standard Blocks
- AAC U-Blocks
- AAC Cored Blocks
- AAC blocks overview
- View the complete AAC product catalog
- Request global supply and export planning
Request a quote for Reinforced Lintels
Request a quote, product documentation, supply information and technical review support for aac reinforced lintels from MHE Group.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What are AAC reinforced lintels used for?
AAC reinforced lintels are used above openings such as doors and windows where compatible AAC opening components are required.
Can lintel load values be published generically?
No. Lintel capacity depends on current product tables, span, bearing, load conditions, and engineering confirmation.
How should lintels be ordered?
Project teams should confirm opening schedules, wall thickness, span, bearing length, and documentation requirements before requesting AAC lintel supply.
What is the difference between AAC lintels and U-blocks?
AAC lintels are reinforced in the factory and installed as one piece over the opening. U-blocks form a channel that is reinforced and grouted on site. Lintels are faster for standard openings; U-blocks suit continuous bond beams and non-standard spans.