Building Construction Materials and Techniques

17

WALLS

17.1 INTRODUCTION

A wall is a vertical member with width greater than four times its thickness. If this condition is not satisfied it is a column. Based on functional aspects, walls may be classified under the following two broad groups:

1. Load-bearing walls
2. Non-load-bearing walls

The masonry types explained in the previous chapter may be used for load-bearing structures and as separators or partitioners.

17.2 LOAD-BEARING WALLS

In general, masonry used for exterior walls, central main walls and some cross walls in a building are of load-bearing walls. These walls should have adequate thickness such that it will sustain a slight eccentricity in loading. The mortar used for such walls should give adequate bonding to hold the structure ...