A padstone sits under the end of a beam and spreads its load over a larger area of wall. It is usually concrete, but a steel spreader plate or a short steel section is used where depth is limited or loads are high.
Bearing length
The engineer sets the minimum length of beam sitting on the padstone. Too short and the masonry can crush.
Steel lintels
For openings in walls, a steel lintel or a pair of angles may replace a beam. The engineer chooses based on span, load and wall type.
