Partition Walls

Functions
• To create partitions in a space
• Sound insulation
• Fire resistance
TYPES OF PARTITION WALLS
Brick partitions
Hollow block partition of clay, terracotta
Glass partitions
Concrete partitions – plain or reinforced
A.C. sheet or G.I. sheet partitions
• Timber partitions
Brick Partitions
• Plain brick partition
This type of wall is constructed by laying bricks as stretchers in cement
mortar. Thus the wall is generally 11. 5cm (half brick) thick and plastered
considerably on both faces. If properly constructed, it is considerably strong
and fire resistant.
• Manufacturing process of bricks
There are four different operations are involved in the process of
manufacturing of bricks:
1. Preparation of clay
2. Molding
3. Drying
4. Burning
• Reinforced brick wall
This type of wall is similar to plain brick partition wall except that at
every third or fourth course, the bricks are reinforced with iron straps
25 to 28 mm wide and 1.6mm thick. Mild steel bars 6mm spaced at
every third course of wall may be used as a substitute for iron straps.
• Brick nogging type partition wall
It consists of brickwork built within a framework of wooden members. The
framework consists of vertical posts called studs spaced at 60 cm to 150 cm
apart and held in position by horizontal members called nogging pieces. The
nogging pieces are housed into the studs at 60 cm to 90cm apart vertically.
The function of the wooden framework is to increase stability of the wall
both along the length and height and to make it more rigid to withstand
vibrational effect produced on account of careless opening or closing of the
window or door leaves.
The brickwork is built by laying the brick flat or on edge and the surface is
plastered from both sides. Thus the size of the studs and nogging depends
upon the thickness of partition wall. For 10cm thick partition wall, the studs
and nogging should be 15 cm wide so that after the brickwork is plastered
from both the faces, the timber framework may finish flush with the wall
face.
Hollow brick partition of clay, terracotta or
concrete
• Hollow blocks moulded from clay, terracotta or
concrete are now commonly used for the
construction of partition walls. Such walls are
light, rigid, economical, strong and fire
resistant. They have good sound insulating
properties. The sizes of the blocks differ with
the texture of the material. The thickness of
this type of partition wall varies between 6 cm
to 15 cm. these walls are constructed in similar
manner as structural load bearing walls.
Glass partition walls
• These may be made from sheet glass or hollow glass bricks. In case of
sheet glass partitions, sheets of glass are fixed in the framework of
wooden members dividing the entire area into a number of panels. The
panels may be square or rectangular and their size varies with the
choice of the individual. Glass partitions are cheap, light, and easy in
construction and provide reasonable privacy and sound insulation. The
cost of maintenance of such partition is much more as glass is liable to
break when struck hard by anything. With the introduction of
reinforced glass sheets, this danger is greatly minimized.
• Cost- toughened glass- Rs200 per sq.ft Price increases as thickness
increases
Concrete Partition – Plain or reinforced
• Partition walls construction in concrete, plain or reinforced may be
cast in situ or built from panels or blocks, precast wall in advance of
the commencement of work.
•
Sizes and prices of concrete blocks
• Sizing- 600*200*50mm
• Costing- 50mm- Rs30 per piece(2”)
70mm- Rs40 per piece(3”)
Generally for cast in situ walls,
the reinforcement bars is
placed in the centre of the wall
thickness. The wall is cast
monolithically with the
intermediate columns so as to
be rigid and stable both along
its length and height. In case of
precast concrete partition
walls, precast concrete slab
panels and special shaped
concrete post are used. 
A.C. Sheet or G.I. Sheet partitions
Partition walls constructed from asbestos cement sheeting or
galvanized sheet fixed to wooden or steel members are mostly adopted
in works of temporary character. These walls are economical, light and
fairly rigid if constructed properly.
• For superior type of asbestos cement sheet partition walls, specially
manufactured slabs are used. Each slab consists of core or corrugated
asbestos cement sheet with the plain asbestos cement sheet attached
to it on either side. The use of such slabs renders the partition wall
more fire-resistant and makes it have good heat and sound insulation
properties.
Timber partitions
• This type of partition walls consists of a wooden framework either
supported on the floor below or by side walls. The framework consists
of a rigid arrangement of timber members which may be plastered or
covered with boarding etc from both the sides. Such partitions are not
fire-resistant and the timber forming the partition is likely to decay or
be eaten away by white ants. With the introduction of new building
materials, the use of timber partitions is getting gradually reduced
these days.