Types of Wall in Building Construction

Wall:- Walls are necessary components of every structure. A wall is a structural component that divides a space into two spaces while simultaneously providing safety and shelter from the rain, sun, wind, theft, and other hazards.

• Different Types of Walls are as follows:-

1) Load Bearing Wall:- As the name suggests, the complete structure is supported by walls rather than columns. In general, loads travel from the slab to the beams, then to the columns, and finally to the foundation. Load bearing walls support the entire structure's weight, including the self weight of structural parts. There are also different types of load bearing walls such as: retaining wall, precast concrete wall, masonry wall, stone wall, etc.

2) Non-Load Bearing Wall:- Non-load bearing walls solely hold their own weight and do not support any structural components like beams or slabs. The joists and rafters identify non-load bearing walls. These walls are only used as partitions or to divide rooms from the outside world. It is also referred as internal wall that does not support any other load but its own. There are also different types of load bearing walls such as: hollow concrete block, hollow brick, brick wall, etc.

3) Cavity Wall:- A wall made of two skins of masonry, the outermost part of which can be brickwork or blockwork and the innermost part of which is usually blockwork. A cavity wall provides superior thermal insulation than any other solid wall.

4) Partition Wall:- A partition wall is a non-load bearing internal wall that divides a large space into small spaces. It can be solid, made of brick or stone. It is a framed structure. The partition wall is both a sound barrier and a fire barrier.

5) Panel Wall:- It is a non-bearing wall that is supported by columns or pillars. It is used for aesthetics of the buildings both inside and outside. It remains totally supported at each storey but subjected to lateral loads.

Types of Loads acting on a structure

 TYPES OF LOADS ACTING ON A STRUCTURE 

Any type of structure is subjected to different types of loads. These loads can be vertical, horizontal or even longitudinal loads. 

According to IS: 875 - 1987 The different types of loads are:

1. Dead load: Dead loads compose of those loads which are stationary. They are also called permanent loads because they are applied on the structure throughout it's lifetime. Mostly these comprise of structure's self -  weight, fittings, partitions, etc. 

2. Live load: Live loads are also referred as imposing or sudden loads meaning they can change with respect to time. These loads comprise of furniture, equipment, people.

3. Wind load: As the name suggests, this load is imposed due to the wind movement and the direction and intensity with which it moves. Factors taken during calculation of wind loads are wind speed, direction of wind and height of building.

4. Earthquake load: This load is taken in consideration for the case of an earthquake striking the structure. During an earthquake there is lateral ground movement, hence the load applied on the structure is horizontal according to the force exerted by the ground. Vertical component is also taken into consideration but that is mostly due to structure's own weight.

5. Snow load: This load is not typically taken into consideration while designing a building. This is exclusive for structures which receive snowfall. Calculation are done with respect to height of building, shape and size of the roof.