Variations among Load Bearing Wall and Partition Wall

The wall is categorized as follow: Load Bearing Wall, Partition Wall.

Load Bearing Walls: If beams and columns are not utilized (Frame Structure), load from roof and floors are transmitted to foundation through walls. Such walls are known as bearing walls.

The purpose of these walls is to securely transmit the load. The vital section of the walls is located adjacent to the openings of doors and windows and the positions where concrete beams stand. Minimum wall thickness should be 200 mm. The slenderness ratio of wall called as ratio of effective length or effective height to thickness should not surpass 27.

Effective height of walls with respect to actual height H

a. Lateral as well as rotational restraint 0.75 H
b. Lateral as well as rotational restraint at one end and only lateral 0.85 H restraint at other.
c. Lateral restraint but no rotational restraint at both ends 1.0 H
d. Lateral and rotational restraint at one end and no restraint at other 1.5 H

Effective length of walls of length L

a. Continuous and supported by cross walls 0.8 Length.
b. Continuous at one end and supported by cross walls at 0.9 Length the other end.

c. Wall supported by cross walls at each end 1.0 Length.
d. Free at one end and continuous at other end 1.5 Length.
e. Free at one end and supported by cross wall at other end 2.0 Length.

2. Partition Walls: If the structure belongs to frame structure than partition walls are constructed to separate floor area for different Utilities and it stands on floors. The partition walls are used to bear only self weight. Generally partition walls are thin. According to the requirement, these walls range from clay brick partition, Fly ash bricks partition, glass panel partition, wood panel partition, and aluminium and glass panels partition.

Variations among load bearing wall and partition walls

LOAD BEARING WALL

a. They bear loads from roof, floor, self-weight etc.
b. They are solid and capture more floor area.
c. Since the quantity of material is more, the construction cost is higher.
d. Stones or bricks are the main material for building up the wall.

PARTITION WALL

a. They bear self-weight only.
b. These walls are thin and as a result capture less floor area
c. Since, the quantity of material is less, the construction cost is reduced.
d. Stones are not applied for building up the walls.

Variations among Load Bearing Wall or Partition Wall