2. What is Partition Wall?
Partition wall is defined as a non load bearing wall that is construct to divide interior space of rooms. The partition walls are made of
brick, timber, steel, glass, aluminum, AAC blocks, etc. Mainly Brick, aluminum, and glass used for partition walls in every sector of
construction.
Partition walls are constructed for various purposes, but the main purpose is to separate or divide a room (space) into various parts.
Partition walls are the Non load-bearing wall.
Partition wall is mainly divided in two categories: Movable Partition and Fixed Partition.
Functions of Partition Wall
The main objectives or purpose of partition wall are listed below.
1. Privacy
2. Separation
3. Decoration
3. Factors Affecting construction of Partition Wall.
The various factors that affect construction of partition wall
are listed below.
▪ Availability of material
▪ Self-weight of partition wall
▪ Cost of a Partition wall
▪ Speed of construction
▪ Workmanship (Skilled, Unskilled, and their Charges)
▪ Requirement of Sound resistance, fire resistance, etc.
▪ Durability and flexibility of partition wall
▪ Ease of construction
What are the requirement of good partition wall?
The various requirement of partition walls are listed below.
▪ Adequate privacy
▪ Thin
▪ Lightweight
▪ Good Sound insulation
▪ Damp proof
▪ Good fire resistant
▪ Economical
▪ Easy to Construct
▪ Enough Load-carrying strength
▪ Good aesthetic view
5. 1. BRICK PARTITION
The common brick partition walls are half brick thick. They may be made of plain brick work or reinforced brick work or brick-nogged
type.
a. Plain Brick Partition
Plain Brick partition is made by laying plain bricks as stretchers with the help of a cement mortar in a ratio of 1:3 (cement: sand). The
thickness of this wall is only 100 mm, and both faces of the wall are plastered. This types of partitions are not able to take a heavy load.
It is possible to build this partition up to a continuous length of about 6 m. The height or length whichever, is smaller should not exceed
48 times the thickness of the brick. Its height is generally restricted to about 2 m.
b. Reinforced brick partition
This is same as half brick thick plain brick partition wall, but some reinforcements are provided there in the form of a wire mesh or hoop
iron or steel bar. Generally, 6 mm dia of steel bars are provided at every three or fourth course of the brick. This partition is stronger and
more stable and durable than plain brick partition.
c. Brick-nogged partition
This types of partition consist of a wooden framework within which half brick masonry is fitted. The framework consists of head, sill,
vertical member and a horizontal member.
6.
7. 2. HOLLOW CLAY BLOCK PARTITION
In this type, the hollow clay blocks are used to make the partition walls. The hollow clay blocks which are made by using clay or terra-
cotta. The blocks can be manufactured in any required shape and size, but their usual size of section is 30 cm × 20 cm and thickness
varies from 5 cm to 15 cm. The blocks are provided with grooves which helps to join the different blocks rigidly.
8. 3. CEMENT CONCRETE PARTITION
When cement concrete is used to make the partition, wall is known as cement
concrete partition, and it is easy to construct.
Cement concrete may be used in the form of hollow blocks or in from of solid thin
concrete slab. Hollow blocks are constructed jut like a hollow clay block (1: 3 cement
mortar is used in block masonry). Partition of cement concrete may be either
precast or caste-in-situ.
In the case of precast concrete work, plain cement concrete slabs are prepared in a
suitable size and they are secured to the precast poles erected at suitable intervals.
Slabs are secured in grooves of the poles. Sometimes, L or T shaped units may be
prepared and used to form a partition wall. The thickness of the solid concrete slab
is about 40 mm.
In the case of cast-in-situ work, concrete walls are casted about 75 mm thick. These
walls may or may not be provided with any intermediate concrete pole. If additional
stability is required, then reinforcement is provided at the center of the thickness.
This reinforcement should be provided both in vertical and horizontal directions.
9. 4. GLASS PARTITION
When the partition wall is made of glass, it is called glass partition wall. The glass may be used either in the form of thin sheets or in the
form of hollow blocks.
For sheet glass partition, a wooden frame is prepared, and thin glass sheets are then placed into its panels. The glass sheets are fixed to
the panel using putty. Putty is made by mixing linseed oil and white chalk. In this partition, glass sheets of different styles and colors can
be used to get a decorative look.
10. 5. TIMBER PARTITION
Timber partitions are light in weight. They are cheap and easy to construct. But they are easily affected in damp conditions and are not
good in fire resistance. They are not sound-proof to an appropriate extent.
Timber can be easily affected by some insects such as white ants. Due to several problems, timber partitions are not used these days.
Timber partitions can be divided into the following two categories:
1.Common partitions or stud partitions
2.Trussed partitions or braced partitions
11. 6. METAL PARTITION
The metal partition wall is another type of partition wall that is usually made of mild steel. The Bronze is also a very popular metal used
to make partition walls. Vertical posts are first erected and space between them is covered by fixing sheets of mild steel or bronze.
Metal laths can be conveniently used for forming partitions. Metal lath is available in a variety of patterns. In order to fix metal laths in
position, they usually require a framework of steel or timber. After fixing, plastering may be carried out on both sides. Such partition
maybe 50 mm thick. These partitions are suitable for office and industrial buildings.
12. 7. PLASTERBOARD PARTITION
When the partition wall made by plasterboard is known as a plasterboard partition wall. Generally, the thickness of the plasterboard is
around 50 mm to 100 mm. There are different types of plasterboard are available in the market.
Plaster of Paris or gypsum is used for the manufacture of these board. When gypsum is used for the manufacture of the plasterboard
then it is called ‘gypsum plasterboard’. This types of plasterboard are mostly used for partition walls as well as for false ceiling work.
In order to reduce the density, sawdust or some other fibrous material can be added to the gypsum. Plaster slabs are manufactured in
moulds of iron or timber.
The surface of the plasterboard may be rough or smooth. If the partition is to be finished with plaster, its face surfaces are manufactured
rough. If they are not to be plastered their surface should be finished. Plater board may be fixed in wooden frames provided with
grooves.
14. 8. STRAW BOARD PARTITION
The straw board partition wall is mostly preferred where frequent removal of partitions is expected. It has good heat-insulation
properties. Straw boards or slabs are manufactured by compressing straw, applying proper adhesive and covering the surface with thick
paper or hardboard. They can be fixed in a wooden frame or in a steel frame.
9. WOOD WOOL SLAB PARTITION
These slabs are produced by mixing Portland cement to wood shavings or wood wool with a limited quantity of gypsum. The weight of
this slab is about 4.8 kN/m3. When this type of slab is used to make a partition wall, it is called wood wool slab partition.
It has good sound insulation as well as fire-resistant properties. Since the weight of the slabs is light, the partition of these slabs is also
light in weight. The size of units is of the order of 1.8 m * 0.6 m with thickness varying from 50 mm to 75 mm.
15. 10. A.C AND G.I SHEET PARTITION
A.C or G.I sheet partitions are another types of partition walls
that are made by fixing asbestos cement sheet or galvanized
sheets on a suitable supporting frame in single or double leaf.
They are durable and have good fire resisting properties. These
partitions can be used in case of office and public buildings
with a suitable decorative look. They may be fixed to
permanent vertical posts or maybe clamped and attached to
metal runners at the ceiling and floor levels.
11. PLASTIC BOARD PARTITION
In this partition, plastic board or a section of plastic are used,
which are made of PVC and are manufactured in foamed and
un-foamed types. In addition to making partition walls, this
type of plastic section is used in many other purposes, such as
making a false ceiling, wall paneling, etc.
