PARTITION WALLS Building Materials & Construction Civil Engineering Department S.V.N.I.T,Surat.

Introduction A partition wall may be defined as a wall or division made up of bricks, studding, glass or other such material and provided for the purpose of dividing one room or portion of a room from another. Partition walls are designed as non-load bearing walls. It may be of folding, collapsible or fixed type. If partition walls are load bearing then they are called as ‘internal wall’.

Advantages of partition walls Divide the whole area into a number of rooms. Provide privacy to the inmates from sight and sound. Are light in weight and cheaper in cost of construction. Occupy lesser area Easily constructed in any position.

Requirements of a Good Partition Wall: Thin in cross-section so that maximum floor area can be utilized. Provide adequate privacy in rooms both in respect of sight and sound. Constructed from light, sound, uniform, homogeneous, durable and sound insulated materials. Simple in nature, easy and economical in construction having proper coherence with the type of building structure. Offer sufficient resistance against fire, heat, dampness, white ant or fungus, etc. Rigid enough to take the vibrations caused due to loads. Strong enough to support sanitary fittings and heavy fixtures.

Types of partition walls: Brick partitions, Hollow block partitions, Clay block partitions, Concrete partitions, Glass block partitions, Wooden partitions, Straw board partitions, Plaster slab partitions, Metal partitions, Asbestos cement partitions, and Double glazed window.

Brick partition Constructed with plain bricks, Reinforced bricks, bricks-nogged or hollow bricks. Plain brick partition of half brick thickness is not more than 2m in height. In reinforced brick partition of half brick thickness, reinforcement in the form of wire mesh or hoop iron or steel bars is provided.

Brick nogging partition wall consists of brickwork built up within a framework of wooden members. Brick partition is fire-resistant and sound- proof.

Hollow Block and Clay Block Partitions Hollow concrete block partitions are built of individual units of concrete. Clay blocks used are well prepared from clay or terra-cotta, and they are either solids or hollow. Hollow clay blocks of section 30*20 cm with thickness varying from 5 cm to 15 cm can also be used. The blocks are provided with grooves on top, bottom and sides, surfaces are kept glazed in different colures.

They do not change their volume and are in lighter in weight. Hollow clay blocks

Acoustic Clay Hollow Partition Wall

Concrete partition It can be either precast or cast in-situ. Special concrete posts are used for the construction of precast concrete partition walls. Concrete block

Glass partition Are made from sheet glass or hollow glass blocks. Provides good aesthetics and allow light Are damp, sound and heat proof. Easy to clean and maintain. Sheets of glass are fixed in the frame work of wooden or metal. Hollow blocks doesn’t need timber framework.

Wooden partition Lighter in weight and easy to construct. Neither sound-proof nor fire-proof. Not suitable for damp locations. Are of two types Common partitions Are comprised of vertical members known as studs bridged between upper horizontal(head) and lower horizontal(sill) member. Trussed partitions Are designed on the principle of truss are useful where it is possible to provide supports only.

Head Stud Sill

Wooden partition wall

Strawboard partitions Useful where removal of partitions is frequent. Made of compressed straw covered thick paper or hardboard. Easy to construct. Heat and sound proof partitions.

Strawboard Partition( with glass also used)

Plaster slab partitions Are made of burnt gypsum or plaster of paris mixed with sawdust. 5cm to 10cm thick slabs are prepared in iron or timber moulds. To form rigid joints suitable grooves are provided in the plaster slabs. Nails and screws can be easily driven into these slabs.

Incomplete Partition wall of Plaster and expandable metal

Metal partitions Are light in weight, fireproof and strong. Are easy to construct and shift. Insulated material is filled into hollow spaces. Used for office and industrial buildings. Are also formed of metal lathes supported and fixed by wires.

Skeleton metal partition

Asbestos Cement partitions Light in weight, impervious, durable, water tight and fire-proof. Asbestos cement sheets are made of asbestos cement sheets and fixed into timber framework. Sheets are placed in position and joined by cement mortar. Are mostly adopted in works of temporary character.

Double Glazed window Used for acoustic insulation. Air space between two panes is kept 50mm or more. Air contained within narrow cavity is quite ‘stiff’ Transmits vibration at low frequencies.

Double glazed window

Movable partitions Movable partitions are used where the walls of a room are frequently opened to form one large floor area.

There are three types of partitions: Sliding: Sliding partitions consists of series of panels that slide in tracks fixed to the floor and ceiling. The machine if the partition is similar to those of sliding doors. Sliding & folding: Sliding and folding partitions operate in a similar manner to sliding folding doors. They are normally used for smaller spans. Screens: Screens are usually constructed of a metal or timber frame. It is fixed with plywood and chipboard inside. The screen supported with legs for free standing and easy movement.

Foldable partition wall

Portable Partitions  Rolling mobile folding partitions which provide temporary walls The portable wall partition has two full panel end members which provide support, rigidity, privacy, and noise reduction. They fold and are on wheels enabling mobility and ease of storage.

Three common uses are: To divide space quickly where non-mobile permanent room dividers may be unavailable or unpractical. As a cost effective way to create a classroom or meeting room in existing space. Convenient sight divider to conceal door openings to restrooms, commercial kitchens, and other backroom areas.

Portable Partitions are commonly used in: Arena’s Churches/Houses of Worship/Funeral Homes Conference/Convention Centres Government/Corporate offices Hotels/Restaurants Residences Salons and Spas Schools of all levels

References: Dr B.C.Punamia, Building Construction S.P.Arora and S.P.Bindra, Building Construction Robert Jantschek, Portable wall partition with full panel end members. www.niceduniya.com,Principles of design of partitions walls. Images are taken from google image search