Cavity wall is a double wall consisting of two separate walls, called “skins” or “leaves” of masonry separated by an air space and joined together by metal ties at suitable intervals. These walls are generally exterior walls, although sometimes used as interior walls Construction Details General features: The two leaves of a cavity wall may be of equal thickness if it is a non load bearing wall, or the internal leaf may be thicker than the external leaf, to meet the structural requirements. The inner and outer skins of the wall are adequately tied together by means of special wall ties at the rate of at least five ties per square meter of wall. The cavity should neither be less than 40 mm nor more than 100 mm in width. To prevent moisture to enter, it is essential to provide a vertical damp proof course at window and door reveals. The damp proof course should be flexible. Video Early Cavity Walls Most walls comprised two half-brick leaves with a 50mm cavity. The two halves of the wall were tied at regular intervals with steel or wrought iron wall ties. The external leaf of brickwork was laid in facing bricks, the internal leaf in commons. A few early cavity walls had an external leaf one brick thick and, in some early forms of construction, the DPC ran right across the cavity. DPCs (to prevent rising damp) were in common use by the early 1900s. They could be made from lead, pitch, asphalt and slate. Building Regulations According to building codes the double wall is generally 265mm or 275mm thick, consisting of 102.5mm inner and outer skins and a 60-70 mm cavity (adequate for 2 storied domestic building) . The inner leaf is increased to 215 mm or more in thickness when heavier load or floors have to be supported For stone faced buildings, the outer leaf is 103-206mm and inner leaf is 102.5mm. The width of cavity in between varies from 50-75mm. Position of Cavity at Foundations: Cavity Extending up to Concrete Bed
The cavity extends right upto the base of
the footing, of the footing, with damp proof course introduced just below the floor level. This is the more common arrangement. However, if the brick work below G.L. is not carefully constructed, water will enter through the joints, collect in cavity and travel through inner leaf, causing dampness in the flooring. The following type remedies the stated problem. Position of Cavity at Foundations Cavity Concreted upto G.L. The portion of the cavity between top of the foundation concrete and the G.L. be filled with 1:2:4 concrete at least 150 mm below D.P.C. Separate D.P.C. is provided for both the leaves. Rain water gaining access to the cavity through the outer leaf, and collecting in the cavity may be drained off by the provision of narrow outlets or weep holes. Position of Cavity at Parapet Level In the case of flat roofs, with a parapet, the cavity may extend either up to the bottom of coping or upto a level slightly above the flat roof. When the cavity extends upto the bottom of coping, D.P.C. course is provided between the bottom of coping and top of cavity, so that rain water does not enter the cavity. When the cavity is terminated just above the flat roof, one D.P.C. is provided over the top of the cavity and another Position of Cavity at Openings Insulation in Cavity Walls Wall Ties Wall ties are mostly mild steel thoroughly galvanised or dipped in hot tar and sanded to protect from rust. Stainless steel is used now used. These are various patterns; the washer shown is to hold insulation boards in position against the inner leaf. These ties must be placed at distances not exceeding 900 mm horizontally and 450 mm vertically, and should be staggered. Ties must be placed at 300 mm vertical intervals at all angles and door and window jambs to increase stability. Weep Holes Example Present house in Jaipur built in 2005 is an exposed bricks(wire cut bricks) house with cavity walls. Two brick and mortar walls having a gap of 4" in between. For strength, both walls have been tied at regular intervals by placing 5mm "S" shaped rod - thus giving the outer wall the strength of a normal 9" one. Advantages of cavity walls. Advantages of cavity walls: There is no possibility of the moisture travelling from the outer wall to the inner wall. The layer of air in the cavity being non-conductor of heat, and reduces the transmission of heat from the external face to internal one. This acts as damp barrier, reduces the cooling cost of the building. Economy- A 275 mm cavity wall costs less to construct than a 328 mm solid wall Cheaper than exterior or interior wall insulation. Maintains existing wall thickness. Minimal disruption to install Can reduce condensation Disadvantages Cavity walls were first built, in exposed coastal areas, in order to keep out wind-driven rain. Filling the cavity with insulation will always hold the risk that moisture will be able to find its way across to the inside, whatever the insulation material. There is also the possibility that the installation will leave unfilled air pockets –causing ‘cold spots’ on the inside walls which attract condensation. Another problem concerns wall-tie corrosion; cavity insulation makes the outer brick leaf colder, and therefore wetter, which can accelerate rusting of the wall ties. And if the ties then have to be replaced, there is no satisfactory way of refilling the holes in the insulation, whatever the material. Thermal bridging problems. Thickness of insulation is restricted by width of cavity. Significant parts of the UK are unsuitable due to their exposure. There are significant number of buildings with mortar droppings on ties within the cavity which result in penetrating dampness. Settlement and saturation of cavity-fill leading to cold bridging Precautions Damp proof course should be laid separately for two walls. The cavity should be properly drained and ventilated by providing weep holes. Cavity should be kept clear of dropping of mortar or brick, rubbish etc during construction. Vermin's or mosquitoes should not be there in the cavity wall. Bibliography 1. https://www.google.co.in/search?biw=1366&bih=623&noj=1&tbm=isch&q=cavity+w all+ties&revid=424010215&sa=X&ved=0CCcQ1QJqFQoTCM6X8bOA8sgCFYyiiAodk_8D qw#imgrc=muaot58ecH_cMM%3A 2. http://inspectapedia.com/structure/1763s.jpg 3. http://fet.uwe.ac.uk/conweb/house_ages/elements/print.htm 4. https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja &uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB1qFQoTCJn2nMDD8sgCFUHYpgodkJkInA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fl aw.resource.org%2Fpub%2Fza%2Fibr%2Fza.sans.10400.l.2011.html&psig=AFQjCNHnc nH7H8sCWm9IrlQA5BNJxZvVrQ&ust=1446580363191096 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavity_wall 6. http://www.indiamike.com 7. Building Construction, W.B. Mckay 8. Building Construction, BC Punmia Thank You!