Acoustic Technique –

Cavity Wall
What is a Cavity Wall?

š Cavity wall is constructed with two separate walls for single

wall purpose with some space or cavity between them.
š These two separate walls are called as leaves of cavity wall.
š The inner wall is called as internal leaf and outer wall is called
as external leaf.
š Cavity wall is also called as Hollow wall. For non-load bearing
cavity wall, two leaves are of equal thickness or sometimes
internal leaf with more thickness is provided.
š The cavity size should be in between 4 to 10cm. The
internal and external leaves should have at least 10 mm
thickness. The two leaves are interconnected by metal ties
or links as shown in above figure.
Construction of Cavity Walls

š In general, cavity wall doesn’t require any footings under

it, just a strong concrete base is provided on which cavity
wall is constructed centrally. Two leaves are constructed
like normal masonry, but minimum cavity must be provided
in between them. The cavity may be filled with lean
concrete with some slope at top up to few centimeters
above ground level as shown below.
š Weep holes are provided for outer leaf at bottom with an
interval of 1 m. Normal bricks are used for inner leaf and
facing bricks are used for outer leaf. Different masonry is
also used for cavity wall leaves. The leaves are connected
by metal ties or wall ties, which are generally made of
steel and are rust proof.
š The maximum horizontal spacing of wall ties is 900mm
and maximum vertical spacing is 450mm. The wall ties are
provided in such a way that they do not carry any moisture
from outer leaf to inner leaf. Different shapes of wall ties
are shown in below figure.
š For half brick thickness leaves, stretcher bond is provided. And for
one brick thickness or more thickness, English bond or Flemish bonds
type constructions are provided. While laying bricks, care should be
taken without filling the cavity with cement mortar.
š To prevent mortar dropping in cavity, wooden battens are provided in
the cavity with suitable dimensions. These battens are supported on
wall ties and whenever the height of next wall tie location is reached,
then the battens are removed using wires or ropes and wall ties are
provided.
š Two leaves should be constructed simultaneously. Spacing
should be uniform and it is attained by predetermining the
location of wall ties. Damp proof course is provided for two
leaves separately. In case of doors and windows, weep
holes are provided above the damp proof course.
š Cavity wall is a double wall consisting of two separate walls, called
“skins” or “leaves” of masonry separated by an air space and joined
together by metal ties at suitable intervals.
š These walls are generally exterior walls, although sometimes used as
interior walls.
 ADVANTAGES OF CAVITY WALL

š Cavity walls give better thermal insulation than solid walls. It

is because of the space provided between two leaves of
cavity walls is full of air and reduces heat transmission into
the building from outside.
š Economically they are cheaper than solid walls.
š Moisture content in outer atmosphere is does not allowed to
enter because of hollow space between leaves. So, they also
prevent dampness.
š They also act as good sound insulators.
 DISADVANTAGES OF CAVITY WALLS

š Cavity walls were first built, in exposed coastal areas, in order to keep out wind-driven rain. Filling
the cavity with insulation will always hold the risk that moisture will be able to find its way across
to the inside, whatever the insulation material.
š There is also the possibility that the installation will leave unfilled air pockets –causing ‘cold spots’
on the inside walls which attract condensation.
š Another problem concerns wall-tie corrosion; cavity insulation makes the outer brick leaf colder, and
therefore wetter, which can accelerate rusting of the wall ties. And if the ties then have to be
replaced, there is no satisfactory way of refilling the holes in the insulation, whatever the material.
š Thermal bridging problems.
š Thickness of insulation is restricted by width of cavity.
š Significant parts of the UK are unsuitable due to their exposure.
š There are significant number of buildings with mortar droppings on ties within the cavity which
result in penetrating dampness.
š Settlement and saturation of cavity-fill leading to cold bridging.
 ADVANTAGES OF CAVITY WALL

• Light Weight - Composites are light in weight, compared to most

woods and metals.

• High Strength - Composites can be designed to be far stronger than

aluminum or steel. Metals are equally strong in all directions. But
composites can be engineered and designed to be strong in a
specific direction.

• Strength Related to Weight - Strength-to-weight ratio is a material’s

strength in relation to how much it weighs. Some materials are very
strong and heavy, such as steel. Other materials can be strong and
light, such as bamboo poles. Composite materials can be designed
to be both strong and light. Composites have the highest strength-
to-weight ratios in structures.
• Corrosion Resistance - Composites resist damage from the weather
and from harsh chemicals that can eat away at other materials.
Composites are good choices where chemicals are handled or stored.
Outdoors, they stand up to severe weather and wide changes in
temperature.

• High-Impact Strength - Composites can be made to absorb impacts.

• Design Flexibility - Composites can be molded into complicated

shapes more easily than most other materials. This gives designers
the freedom to create almost any shape or form.

• Low Thermal Conductivity - Composites are good insulators—they do

not easily conduct heat or cold.
COMPOSITE WALL