Dhajji Dewari Construction

“Why advocate the use of systems of construction that had largely gone out of use
with the advent of reinforced concrete?”
Traditional building methods were what people could afford and understand,
whereas systems based on modern building materials and technologies are too
expensive (due to transport costs) and required time consuming training of the
workforce.
We need to understand local construction practice as well as the local socio-
economic environment.

1
 Dhajji Dewari Construction

Dhajji-Dewari comes from Persian and literally means "patch-quilt wall." This method
of construction appears to have emerged into common usage alongside of the Taq
system during the late nineteenth century when bricks of a more standard large size
became available. This larger-sized brick (2 1/4 x 4 1/2" X 9") set into the timber
frame enabled the construction of one-wythe-thick brick walls. Dhajji-Dewari
buildings constructed with unfired mud bricks were also common, especially in the
villages.

2
Dhajji Dewari

Dhajji Dewari consists of a complete timber frame that is integral with the masonry, which fills
in the openings in the frame to form walls. The wall is commonly one-half brick in thickness, so
that the timber and the masonry are flush on both sides.
In India for example in the Vale of Kashmir, the infill is usually of brick made from fired or
unfired clay. In the mountainous regions of Kashmir extending into Pakistan, the infill is
commonly rubble stone. The Persian name may provide a clue to Persian influence in the origins
of this system of construction. It is also very similar to Turkish himis construction, which was also common beyond the

boundaries of Turkey, perhaps in part because of the widespread influence of the Ottoman Empire.
3
 Dhajji-Dewari… has shown a marked resistance to earthquakes when compared to conventional
unreinforced solid-wall masonry construction... The ability of the disparate materials, each of
relatively low strength, to work together as a single system to resist catastrophic damage from the
overwhelming forces of earth quakes is what makes these buildings so important.
 Dhajji Dewari is a variation of a mixed timber and masonry construction type found around the
world in one form or another, both in earthquake and non-earthquake areas.
 While earthquakes may have contributed to its continued use in earthquake areas, timber and
masonry infill frame construction probably evolved primarily because of its economic and efficient
use of materials.

4
Dhajji Dewari Terminology
 DHAJJI DEWARI CONSTRUCTION
• This model shows a portion of a typical dhajji
dewari house frame.
• The floor joists are sandwiched between the
horizontal timber plates that form part of each
storey of the frame, and the beams which support
the joists at mid-span are integrated into the
frames on the side.
• There are often different variations on how the
timbers are arranged.
• This model shows an example of an brace on one
side, and a single diagonal brace on the other.
• Some Dhajji houses can be found which have no
diagonals. Instead they rely on the brick in infilling
alone for lateral stability.
• The top detail illustrates how the top floor joists
extend out to form a cornice above which the roof
rafters are placed.

6
Variations in Dhajji Dewari

10
Dhajji Dewari Terminology