Nonstructural Partition Walls

- Theoretical Background:
A partition wall is known as a thin wall or division made up of bricks, studding, glass or any
other materials, and provided to divide or separate the internal spaces into sections, from one
room or space to several rooms.

System Description:
Partition walls could be non-load-bearing walls and load bearing walls. The non-load-bearing
wall is designed to carry its own weight only, it does not support or bear the ceiling or the floor
above. It may be of folding, collapsible or fixed type. The load bearing wall is called internal
wall, generally designed to carry the load coming upon them.

- Types of The System:

There are various types of partition walls, and each one can be designed in different shapes
such as, brick partition wall, clay block partition wall, glass partition wall, concrete partition
wall, plaster slab partition wall, metal lath partition wall, A.C. sheet or G.I. sheet partition wall,
wood wool partition wall, wooden or timber partition wall, portable partition wall, bison panel
partition wall, plywood and fireboard partition wall, and drywall partition. I will discuss some of
the types briefly.
1- Brick partition is one of the most common and economical types of partition wall, known for
their stretcher bond as the wall is plastered from both sides. Raw materials are used to make this
kind of wall, that’s what makes it economical. They tend to be durable, hard, reusable and
recyclable. The way it is manufactured by make it comes with less environmental pollution.
They are non-flammable and sound-proof. Brick partitions have also some disadvantages such
as, it takes a lot of time to be constructed, they cannot be used in seismic zones, this type of wall
is hard to clean, and when the brick wall is not exposed to the air it causes fluorescence.
There are mainly three different types of brick partition walls:

a) Plain brick partition wall

- Constructed using plain bricks, quite popular
and cost effective.
- The minimum thickness of brick partitions is
10cm.
- The construction height should not exceed
more than 2m.
- They are plastered from both sides, and done
using stretcher bond.
- They are strong and fire-resistant if constructed properly.

b) Reinforced brick partition wall

- Similar to plain brick partition, but the walls
are much stronger due to the placement of
reinforcement.
- Reinforcement are placed at every fourth or
third course, in the form of wire mesh strips or
iron bars.
- The reinforced wire strip width ranges from
25mm to 28mm, and has a thickness of 1.6mm.
- The minimum steel bar diameter should be
8mm.
- The thickness is equal to 10cm or half a brick.
- They are used when better longitude bond is needed
and the partition wall has to support other loads.
 c) Brick nogging partition wall
- This wall consists of brickwork built within a framework of wooden members.
- The wooden framework consists of vertical posts (studs), horizontal members (nogging), sill
and head.
- The studs are spaced at 60 cm to 150 cm and held in position by nogging.
- The timber framework provides stability to the partitions against lateral loads and vibration
caused due to openings like doors and windows.
- The top surfaces of wooden framework coming in contact with brickwork should be coated
with coal tar.

2- Hollow and clay block partition wall are designed for individual units of concrete. Clay block
used are well prepared from clay or earthenware, and they are either solid or hollow. Hollow clay
blocks of sections 30*20 cm with thickness varied from 5 to 15 cm can be used. The block is
supplied with grooves on the top, bottom and sides, surfaces are glazed in many different colors.
They are fixed in volume and lighter in weight, rigid, economical, durable, fireplace resistant and
good heat and sound insulators.
3- Bison panel partition walls are fire resistant and offer acoustic insulation. Further, they have a
natural resistance to weathering, fungus, and termite and vermin attack. Therefore, this type of
partition wall is an ideal choice for separating areas in residential, commercial, and industrial
complexes and public buildings. Bison Panels can be used for different drywall partitions
including double skin and single skin, with steel and timber studs.
Steel stud partition provides high values of fire resistance and sound insulation. This partition
system can be adopted to achieve up to 4 hours fire rating by the use of thermal insulation
materials. Recommended thicknesses of this type of partition wall are 10 mm, 12 mm & 14 mm.

Advantages:
- Bison panel partition is highly fire-resistant, fire rating up to
4 hours, and possible with suitable construction arrangement.

- Good soundproofing.

-Moisture and weather-resistant.

-Termite proof.

-Smooth surface, it doesn’t need putty and uses

less primer and paint.

-Economical, durable, and elegant.

4- Metal lath partition walls are skinny, strong, durable, and inconsiderably incombustible. It
needs a framework of steel or timber for fixing it in position. Lath is tied by galvanized iron wire
to soft-cast steel bars or channels spaced 15 to 30 cm apart. It will be plastered on both sides and
maybe improved insulation against heat and sound. The metal lath and plaster partition walls-
cavity. Metal lath on either side of specially formed steel channels spaced at 30 to 45 cm apart.
The channels are usually 3 to 10 cm deep. It can be used in offices and industrial buildings.
5- Glass partition walls are made up of sheet or hollow glass blocks. They are cheap, accessible
in construction, and provide reasonable privacy. It offers sensible aesthetics, permits light-
weight. This kind of wall is damp, sound, and warmth proof, simple to wash and maintain.
a) Glass sheet partition is built by fixing a sheet of glass in a wooden structure. During
these partition walls, sheets of glass are fastened within the framework of wood or metal.
The timber framework consists of a number of horizontal and vertical posts, suitably
spaced, to divide the entire area into a number of panels. The panels used in this type of
partition walls can be rectangular or square. They come in various sizes depending on
one’s choice.

b) The hollow glass block partition wall is constructed from hollow glass blocks. They are
translucent glass units that are light-weight and manufactured in various thicknesses,
shapes, and sizes. Hollow blocks don't require timber frameworks. The standard size of
square hollow glass blocks, which is widely used, is 14*14cm or 19*19cm with a
thickness of 10cm. Metal strip reinforcement used in these glass block walls are placed at
every third or fourth course for block height up to 15 and reinforcement is placed at every
course if the block height exceeds 25cm.

a) Glass sheet partition wall b) Hollow glass block partition wall

6- Plaster slab partition walls are manufactured from burnt mineral or plaster of Paris, mixed
with wood. This sort of partition wall is 5cm to 10cm thick, 1 to 2 m long and 30 cm high, that
are ready in iron or timber molds. Within the plaster slabs, appropriate grooves are provided to
create rigid joints. During this partition, walls, nails, and screws are often simply driven into
these slabs. The plaster slab surface of this partition wall may be left smooth or rough, and the
formwork is not plastered. However, the rough surface acts as a key for the plaster.

7- Wooden partition walls are lighter in weight and simple to construct, neither sound-proof nor
fire-proof. This partition wall is not appropriate for damp locations. Wooden partitions contain
wooden edges that are connected to a sidewall and tied down to the floor. The divider can be
covered with sheets or mortar on the two sides to make a strong partition. Wood partitions are
two types:
a) Common partitions: comprised of vertical members known as studs bridged between
upper horizontal (head), and lower horizontal (sill) member.
b) Trussed partitions: designed on the principle of truss, and useful where it is possible to
provide supports only.

8- Portable partition walls are mobile and folded partitions, which provides a temporary
partition. It has two full panel end members which provide support, rigidity, privacy and ensure
noise reduction. These kinds of partitions can be folded, and are on wheels to allow easy
movement and mobility and ease if storage.
There are three common uses of portable partition walls:
- Divide the space quickly, especially in places where immobile permanent room dividers may
be unavailable or impractical.
- Economical and cost-effective for creating a classroom or meeting room in an existing space.
- Suitable vision divider to conceal door openings to restrooms, commercial kitchens, and other
backroom areas.

- Requirements of a good partition wall:

- Thin in cross section so 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 insulation 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.
- Rigid enough to withstand the vibrations caused due to loads.
- Strong enough to support sanitary fittings and heavy fixtures.

- Advantage: - Disadvantages:

1- Divide the whole area into a number of 1- It is often detrimental to the environment.
rooms.
2- Provide privacy to the intimates from sight
and sound.

3- Light in weight and cheaper in cost of 2- Some partition walls are not sturdy and
construction. could cause injury.

4- Occupy less area inside the building. 3- It is usually not made up of ‘green’ and
environmentally friendly material
5- Easily constructed in any position.

- Applications:
Project Name: Jonathan’s Kitchen and Komatose Club
Architect, Interior Designer: Divya Ethirjana
Location: Hyderabad, India
Building Function: Restaurant
The design of the restaurant and night club draws its inspiration from the picturesque landscape
of Hyderabad. The two hospitality venues sport a slickly-earthy ambience. The rugged texture of
Shahabad Stone and wire-cut brickwork anoints the envelope that is partially industrial-like with
an exposed-services ceiling.

Brick Partition Wall

-They used brick partition walls in the

dining area to separate between
couple of rows of tables, and to
enhance the interior design of the restaurant. In addition to reflect the architectural style of the
city and its surrounding landscape features.

Bison Board Partition

Privat dining area

-In the private dining rooms, they
used bison partition walls to
separate them from the other
zones, yet the partitions are with
hollows to allow visual contact.
Project Name: MicroCAD
Location: Shipley, Bradford
Building Function: High spec 2
storey office
Date: November 2012

Glass Partition Walls

- Supplying and fitting two main glass partition walls and double skinned partitioning to form
meeting, training and board rooms. These glass walls would form a break-out area complete with
stylish office kitchen, leading to all the meeting and training rooms. They decided to create a
central focus point by using two glazed partition walls to connect different spaces visually.
The two main glass wall partitions are double
glazed for added sound reduction with
6.4mm laminate glass. They used toughened
glass which is specially treated once cut to
make it 5 times stronger and able to
withstand everyday knocks.

Project Name: Library of Birmingham

Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Architect: Francine Houben
Founded: 1779

Wooden Partition Wall

Said by the architect: “Style was specified to create flexible room arrangements in a variety of
areas at Birmingham Library including contemplation rooms, studio theatres, a lobby and
gallery”.

Creating flexible internal space that is easily adapted to meet a wide range of demands,
partitioning-experts style was contracted to install a complex combination of 14 movable folding
and sliding walls systems.

“Moveable partitioning walls are a must for buildings such as new libraries where a
multitude of activities are taking place every day,” said Mike Fine, Style’s director for
the Midlands.
“It means rooms can be reconfigured very quickly to accommodate different activities
and gatherings, enabling the library to offer a far greater range of public services than
ever before.”
- The figure below explains different types of partition walls and how they can be placed or
arranged according to their usage.
References:
-https://www.slideshare.net/MominaGhayas/partition-walls-54748820

-https://civiltoday.com/construction/wall/339-partition-wall

-https://www.designshow.co.in/2020/03/introduction-of-partition-

wall.html#:~:text=DEFINITION,panning%20between%20the%20main
%20walls.&text=Generally%2C%20the%20partition%20walls%20are,folding%2C
%20collapsible%20or%20fixed%20type.

-https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=95834

-https://gharpedia.com/blog/types-of-partition-wall-used-in-home/

-https://www.tfod.in/photo-betweenspaces-dashboard-11867-private_dining_area

-https://imtmodularwalls.com/advantages-of-using-architectural-partition-walls-from-
imt/#:~:text=One%20disadvantage%20of%20the%20traditional,sustainable%2C%20non
%2Drecyclable%20materials.

-https://www.rodleyinteriors.co.uk/case-studies/glass-partition-wall/

-https://4.imimg.com/data4/GG/KB/MY-18303113/bison-panel-cement-bonded-particle-
board.pdf

-https://www.barbourproductsearch.info/glass-partitions-and-movable-walls-for-birmingham-
news022735.html