Prepared by Ravishankar Building Construction-II Building Materials & Construction Department of Architecture & Interior Design University of Nizwa Prepared by Ravishankar PARTITION WALLS

Introduction A partition wall may be defined as a wall or division made up of bricks, studding, glass or other such material and provided for the purpose of dividing one room or portion of a room from another. Partition walls are designed as non-load bearing walls. It may be of folding, collapsible or fixed type. If partition walls are load bearing then they are called as ‘internal wall’.

Advantages of partition walls Divide the whole area into a number of rooms. Provide privacy to the inmates from sight and sound. Are light in weight and cheaper in cost of construction. Occupy lesser area Easily constructed in any position.

Partitions are the vertical walls or panels used to divide rooms or portions of buildings. The diagram below shows how existing building space can be sub-divided into smaller rooms using partitions.

Requirements of a Good Partition Wall: Thin in cross-section so that maximum floor area can be utilized. Provide adequate privacy in rooms both in respect of sight and sound. Constructed from light, sound, uniform, homogeneous, durable and sound insulated materials. Simple in nature, easy and economical in construction having proper coherence with the type of building structure. Offer sufficient resistance against fire, heat, dampness, white ant or fungus, etc. Rigid enough to take the vibrations caused due to loads. Strong enough to support sanitary fittings and heavy fixtures.

Types of partition walls: Brick partitions, Hollow block partitions, Clay block partitions, Concrete partitions, Glass block partitions, Wooden partitions, Straw board partitions, Plaster slab partitions, Metal partitions, Asbestos cement partitions, and Double glazed window.

Partitions can be constructed so as to be load bearing or non-load bearing. Traditionally, partitions were constructed of timber but the expanding use of lightweight partitioning and lightweight insulation block walling is decreasing the need to use timber as a material for partitions. However, it is still used for certain work and is found extensively when carrying out repair or renovation work. Partitions can be constructed using a variety of materials. The most come types of partition are: • Timber stud partition. • Metal stud partition. • Dry wall partition. Glass Block Partition Block Partition CLASSIFICATION OF TIMBER PARTITIONS: • Timber stud, plaster skimmed. • Timber stud, dry-lined. • Timber stud, partially glazed. • Timber framed and panelled. • Timber framed and panelled and partially glazed. • Metal stud partition. • Metal stud, dry-lined. • Metal stud, partially glazed.

Wooden partition Lighter in weight and easy to construct. Neither sound-proof nor fire-proof. Not suitable for damp locations. Are of two types Common partitions Are comprised of vertical members known as studs bridged between upper horizontal(head) and lower horizontal(sill) member. Trussed partitions Are designed on the principle of truss are useful where it is possible to provide supports only.

Head Stud Sill

Wooden partition wall

TIMBER STUD PARTITION Cross sectional size of Timber is 100mm x 50mm & 75mm x 50mm

ALTERNATIVE STUD FIXING METHOD

Commonly available size of plaster board is 2. 4m x 1. 2m or 1. 2m x 1 Commonly available size of plaster board is 2.4m x 1.2m or 1.2m x 1.2m with a thickness of 12.5mm. Sheets are nailed with 30mm galvanized nails at 150mm centres.

STAGGERED OR OFFSET TIMBER PARTITION

METAL STUD PARTITION Non-load bearing partitions which consist of a framework of metal studding. Metal studding is lightweight but very strong and stable. The framework is usually covered with ordinary plasterboard sheets or special fire-resistant sheets which, when finally sealed, offer good sound and fire resistance to the partition. Often used in public buildings such as offices and hospitals as it is: Quick and easy to erect. Cost-effective. Suitable for all types of buildings as well as residential housing. Available in a variety of finishes to the completed partition.

C & U SHAPED CHANNELS

Glass partition Are made from sheet glass or hollow glass blocks. Provides good aesthetics and allow light Are damp, sound and heat proof. Easy to clean and maintain. Sheets of glass are fixed in the frame work of wooden or metal. Hollow blocks doesn’t need timber framework.

GLASS BLOCK PARTITION Hollow glass blocks are translucent units of glass, light in weight and are available in different sizes and shapes and thicknesses. They are usually square with thickness of 10cm.(14x14cm or 19x19cm) Jointing edges are painted internally and sanded externally to form key for mortar. Front or back faces may be either decorative or plain. Glass blocks are usually laid in cement-lime mortar (1:1:4) using fine sand. For blocks upto 15cm in height, expanded metal strip reinforcement is placed in every 3rd or 4th course. If height of block is more than 25cm, reinforcement placed in every course.

PREPARATION OF OPENING

LAYING FIRST COURSE

BUILDING THE PANEL

FINISHING THE GLASS BLOCK PANEL SEALING AND WEATHERPROOFING THE PANEL

BLOCK PARTITION

Brick partition Constructed with plain bricks, Reinforced bricks, bricks-nogged or hollow bricks. Plain brick partition of half brick thickness is not more than 2m in height. In reinforced brick partition of half brick thickness, reinforcement in the form of wire mesh or hoop iron or steel bars is provided.

Brick nogging partition wall consists of brickwork built up within a framework of wooden members. Brick partition is fire-resistant and sound-proof.

Hollow Block and Clay Block Partitions Hollow concrete block partitions are built of individual units of concrete. Clay blocks used are well prepared from clay or terra-cotta, and they are either solids or hollow. Hollow clay blocks of section 30*20 cm with thickness varying from 5 cm to 15 cm can also be used. The blocks are provided with grooves on top, bottom and sides, surfaces are kept glazed in different colures.

They do not change their volume and are in lighter in weight. Hollow clay blocks

Acoustic Clay Hollow Partition Wall

Concrete partition It can be either precast or cast in-situ. Special concrete posts are used for the construction of precast concrete partition walls. Concrete block

Strawboard partitions Useful where removal of partitions is frequent. Made of compressed straw covered thick paper or hardboard. Easy to construct. Heat and sound proof partitions.

Plaster slab partitions Are made of burnt gypsum or plaster of paris mixed with sawdust. 5cm to 10cm thick slabs are prepared in iron or timber moulds. To form rigid joints suitable grooves are provided in the plaster slabs. Nails and screws can be easily driven into these slabs.

Incomplete Partition wall of Plaster and expandable metal

Metal partitions Are light in weight, fireproof and strong. Are easy to construct and shift. Insulated material is filled into hollow spaces. Used for office and industrial buildings. Are also formed of metal lathes supported and fixed by wires.

Skeleton metal partition

Metal Partition with glass

Foldable partition wall Movable partitions Movable partitions are used where the walls of a room are frequently opened to form one large floor area. Foldable partition wall

There are three types of movable partitions: Sliding: Sliding partitions consists of series of panels that slide in tracks fixed to the floor and ceiling. The machine if the partition is similar to those of sliding doors. Sliding & folding: Sliding and folding partitions operate in a similar manner to sliding folding doors. They are normally used for smaller spans. Screens: Screens are usually constructed of a metal or timber frame. It is fixed with plywood and chipboard inside. The screen supported with legs for free standing and easy movement.

Portable Partitions  Rolling mobile folding partitions which provide temporary walls The portable wall partition has two full panel end members which provide support, rigidity, privacy, and noise reduction. They fold and are on wheels enabling mobility and ease of storage.

Three common uses are: To divide space quickly where non-mobile permanent room dividers may be unavailable or unpractical. As a cost effective way to create a classroom or meeting room in existing space. Convenient sight divider to conceal door openings to restrooms, commercial kitchens, and other backroom areas.

Portable Partitions are commonly used in: Arena’s Churches/Houses of Worship/Funeral Homes Conference/Convention Centres Government/Corporate offices Hotels/Restaurants Residences Salons and Spas Schools of all levels

Portable Partitions are commonly used in: Arena’s Churches/Houses of Worship/Funeral Homes Conference/Convention Centres Government/Corporate offices Hotels/Restaurants Residences Salons and Spas Schools of all levels

Portable Partitions ( Modular Units ) are commonly used in Office Interiors:

Portable Partitions ( Moving Units ) are commonly used in Interiors:

References: Dr B.C.Punamia, Building Construction S.P.Arora and S.P.Bindra, Building Construction Robert Jantschek, Portable wall partition with full panel end members. www.niceduniya.com,Principles of design of partitions walls. Images are taken from google image search