Basics in Building Construction

Basics in Building Construction 4(2+2)

Lesson 07 : Walls

Partition Wall

• A partition wall is a thin internal wall which is constructed to divide the space within the building into rooms or areas.
• A partition wall may be either non-load bearing or load bearing.
• Generally, partition walls are non-load bearing.
• A load-bearing partition wall is called an internal wall.
• For a load-bearing internal wall, strength is an important factor of design.
• A partition wall on the other hand, need to be strong enough to support itself under normal conditions of service.
• Weather exclusion and thermal insulation do not arise as criteria in the design of internal walls. However, sound insulation is an important requirement.
• A partition wall, separating two adjoining rooms must often provide a barrier to the passage of sound from one to another.
• An additional requirement in all partition walls is their capacity to support a surface suitable for decoration and which is able to withstand the casual damage by impact to which the occupation of the building is likely to subject them.
• On ground floors, partitions rest either on flooring concrete or on beams spanning between the main walls.
• In multi-storied buildings, partitions are supported on concrete beams spanning between columns.
• The total self weight of partitions may considerably affect the total load carried on the framework and on the foundations.
• The lighter the partitions, the lighter and smaller will become the structural elements, and the building as a whole will become more economical.
• The thickness of partitions will affect the amount of usable floor space available in the building.
• Light and thin partitions often raise problems of sound insulation and fire resistance.