In general, non-load bearing walls have adequate strength, stability, sound insulation and fire resistance. Non-load bearing walls may be interior walls or exterior walls. Different types of materials are used for non-load bearing walls, viz., brick, wood, hollow block, metal lath, corrugated sheet, etc. Following are some of the important non-load bearing walls:
- Panel wall
- Partition wall
- Curtain wall
- Free-standing wall
Panel Wall
It is an exterior wall in a structural frame construction. It forms into a unit in each storey (Fig. 17.6).
Figure 17.6 Panel wall
Partition Wall
Partition wall is an interior wall whose main function is to divide the space within a building to rooms and other areas of varied use.
Sometimes partition walls are required to support girders. In such a case, it is called a load-bearing partition wall. In this case, a portion of a floor is transferred to the partition wall through the girders.
In residential buildings, wood, brick, concrete and hollow block partitions are commonly used. Glass partitions are used in public buildings, hotels, recreation centres, etc. Hollow block partition provides adequate insulation (Fig. 17.7).
Figure 17.7 Partition wall
Curtain Wall
It is a wall carrying its self-weight but subjected to lateral loads. But it may be laterally supported by horizontal structural members wherever necessary (Fig. 17.8).
Free-Standing Wall
Parapet wall, compound wall, shear wall, buttress wall, counter fort wall are the examples of free-standing walls. These walls are expected to carry their self-weight and horizontal force due to wind and while supporting other structures.
Figure 17.8 Curtain wall
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