CAVITY WALL

What is a Cavity Wall?

A cavity wall is constructed with two separate walls for a single wall purpose with
some space or cavity between them. These two separate walls are called as leaves of
the cavity wall. The inner wall is called as
internal leaf and the outer wall is called as
external leaf. A cavity wall is also called
a Hollow wall. For non-load-bearing
cavity walls, two leaves are of equal
thickness, or sometimes internal leaf with
more thickness is provided. The cavity
size should be between 4 to 10cm. The
internal and external leaves should have at
least 10 mm thickness. The two leaves are
interconnected by metal ties or links as
shown in the above figure.
Construction of Cavity Walls:
In general, a cavity wall doesn’t require any footings under it, just a strong concrete
base is provided on which the cavity wall is constructed centrally. Two leaves are
constructed like normal masonry, but a minimum cavity must be provided in
between them. The cavity may be filled with lean concrete with some slope at the
top up to a few centimeters above ground
level as shown below. Weep holes are
provided for the outer leaf at the bottom
with an interval of 1 m. Normal bricks are
used for the inner leaf and facing bricks
are used for the outer leaf. Different
masonry is also used for cavity wall
leaves. The leaves are connected by metal
ties or wall ties, which are generally made
of steel and are rust-proof. The maximum
horizontal spacing of wall ties is 900mm
and the maximum vertical spacing is
450mm. The wall ties are provided in such
a way that they do not carry any moisture from the outer leaf to the inner leaf.
Different shapes of wall ties are shown in the below figure.
For half-brick-thickness leaves, a stretcher bond is provided. For one brick thickness
or more thickness, English bond or
Flemish bond type constructions are
provided. While laying bricks, care
should be taken without filling the
cavity with cement mortar. To prevent
mortar from dropping in the cavity,
wooden battens are provided in the
cavity with suitable dimensions.
These battens are supported on wall
ties and whenever the height of the
next wall tie location is reached, then
the battens are removed using wires or
ropes, and wall ties are provided.
Two leaves should be constructed simultaneously. Spacing should be uniform and it
is attained by predetermining the location of wall ties. A damp proof course is
provided for two leaves separately. In the case of doors and windows, weep holes
are provided above the damp-proof course.
Advantages of Cavity Walls
Damp Prevention: A cavity wall checks the prevention of dampness from the
outside to the inside of the building in a better way than a solid brick wall of the
same thickness.
Heat Insulation: since air is a bad conductor of heat, a cavity wall decreases the
heat transmission considerably hence it is easier to maintain the uniform temperature
inside the building.
Sound Insulation: sound waves can travel faster in solid media than air, cavity wall
constructions considerably dampen external noise, and inside the building, external
disturbances have little effect.
Economical: The construction cost of a cavity wall is about 20% less than the
construction cost of a solid wall having the same thickness.
As cavity walls prevent dampness, the inner wall is always kept free from the
efflorescence effect.
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Location Of Cavity:

A cavity wall doesn’t require any footings under it; just a strong concrete base is provided on which
it is constructed centrally.
The cavity may be started from 150 mm below the DPC at the plinth level to facilitate drainage of
any condensed moisture below it otherwise it may be started from immediately above the plinth
level.
The cavity may be right up to the top of the parapet and covered by coping and DPC.

Precautions To Be Taken During Construction:

i) Any contact between two leaves should be avoided.
ii) The cavity should be kept free from dropping. This is possible by using wooden battens during
construction. Temporary openings may be left at the bottom of the cavity to get access and remove
droppings.
iii) Heads of openings must be protected perfectly by damp-proofing materials. Jumbs should be
solid only if DPC is provided.
iv) Weep holes may be required just below the main horizontal DPC over openings.
v) Cavities must be rust-proof, efficient to prevent rain transmission, and easy to clean mortar
droppings