Types of walls and optimal thickness

Types of walls

Depending on the structural role and functional purpose of the building, walls can be divided into three main types: load-bearing, self-bearing and non-loadbearing.

Load-bearing walls

Load-bearing walls directly support the upper floors and roof of the building. They carry the load from the floor supports of the upper floors and transfer it to the foundation. These walls are characterised by high reliability and strength due to the need to withstand significant loads. Consequently, they have the maximum thickness among all types of walls.

When planning the construction of a detached house, it is important to consider not only the type of structures, but also the types of loads that are experienced by load-bearing walls. They play a decisive role in the stability and reliability of the structure.

• Types of structures
  The load-bearing walls are divided into exterior and interior. External load-bearing walls fulfil the important function of supporting loads from upper floors and roofs. Interior load-bearing walls serve to support their mass and act as partitions within the building.
• Types of loads
  The load-bearing walls experience two types of loads: vertical and horizontal. Vertical loads are due to the gravity of the wall itself, slabs and operational factors. Horizontal loads are caused by the thrust from the truss and the effects of wind.

Self-bearing walls

Self-bearing walls, like the previous ones, are built on foundations, but they are not subjected to significant loads from the upper floors. They are designed to carry only their own weight. Such walls are usually of moderate thickness, consistent with their functional purpose and engineering calculations.

• Intended use
  Self-bearing walls are used to create internal partitions, dividing space into functional zones. However, they can also be used to support vertical loads when other support elements are limited or absent.
• Role in building efficiency
  Self-bearing walls, properly designed and positioned, play an important role in ensuring efficient use of space and creating comfortable living conditions. They help to flexibly tidy up premises and define them for different functions, making the building more adaptable to the owner’s needs.

Non-loadbearing walls

Non-loadbearing walls are placed indoors and are supported by other elements of the building frame. Their primary function is to support their own mass without transferring significant loads. For this purpose, they have the smallest thickness among all wall types, given their limited functional requirements.

• Interior applications
  Non-loadbearing walls are widely used to create interiors with open spaces and to divide premises into separate zones such as kitchen, living room and bedroom. They help to create a sense of space while keeping the premises structured.
• Interaction with other structures
  Non-loadbearing walls are supported by other elements of the building frame and carry only their own weight. This helps to realise more architectural solutions and provide resilience in the building layout.

Materials for walls

In the construction, the choice of materials for walls determines not only their strength, but also their thermal insulation, soundproofing and aesthetic appearance. Let us take a look at some of the popular wall materials:

1. Ceramic brick
   Ceramic brick is a reliable and durable building material. It is characterised by high strength and fire resistance. Ceramic bricks are also excellent at retaining heat, making them effective for creating insulated walls.
2. Silicate brick
   Silicate bricks are made of sand and lime using a high-temperature finish. They are characterised by its lightness and high environmental resistance. Silicate bricks insulate well and help retain moisture.
3. Foamed and gas concrete block
   Foamed and gas concrete blocks are lightweight materials made of cellular concrete or aerated concrete. They insulate well and are lightweight. These blocks are easy to handle and can be used for quick construction.
4. Ceramic blocks
   Ceramic blocks made of clay and fired in a kiln have high strength and durability. They also retain heat and moisture well. Ceramic blocks can be used for load-bearing and non-loadbearing walls providing stability and good appearance.

Thickness of load-bearing walls in construction

Exterior load-bearing walls are critical to the stability and efficiency of structure. They are typically from 38 cm thick, which corresponds to 1.5 bricks (24 cm brick width + 12 cm half width + 2 cm joint between them). With proper insulation, it is possible to reduce the thickness to 25 cm (one brick + 1 cm joint), but not less than this value.

This parameter is important to ensure not only the bearing capacity of the walls but also the thermal insulation of the building. Achieving the optimum thickness is important for optimising the building structure and creating an effective barrier against heat loss.

Considering the above parameters, it can be noted that for exterior load-bearing walls a thickness of at least 38 cm is used, but with insulation under appropriate conditions a reduction to 25 cm is possible, while maintaining high stability and thermal insulation at the same time.

Thickness of walls made of gas concrete block in construction

Gas concrete block as a building material is characterised by a unique combination of characteristics and an optimal thickness, which guarantees not only stability but also effective thermal insulation.

A 40 cm thick structural aerated concrete wall provides performance comparable to other more bulky structures:

• 50 cm partition wall made of wood;
• a one-metre wall of expanded clay concrete;
• a two-metre wall made of brick.

The conditions for using gas concrete blocks in Ukraine imply a minimum wall thickness of 300 to 400 mm. For basement and socle premises, it is recommended to use D500 grade. For building interior partitions for permanent residence, the minimum thickness corresponds to the standards and is 100-150 mm.

In the construction of facilities for temporary residence, technical or industrial purposes, it is possible to use gas concrete blocks of D300-500 grades with a thickness from 200 mm. This allows the wall construction to be optimised in accordance with the functional purpose of the building.

Thickness of walls made of bricks in construction

The thickness of brick walls in construction is determined subject to various factors such as thermal insulation, durability and the functional purpose of the premises.

For internal or façade insulation, the thickness of the load-bearing wall can be in the range of 25 cm, 38-39 cm or, in the case of masonry in one and a half bricks, reach 48 or 51 cm. Minor differences in dimensions (1-2 cm) are due to the presence of a centimetre layer of bonding material between the brickwork elements.

According to the standards, the load-bearing walls inside the building should not be thinner than 25 cm. This thickness is determined by the need to ensure adequate strength and stability of the building structure inside the premises.

Interior and exterior walls in construction

Walls in a building perform not only the function of dividing space, but also an important role in ensuring stability and heat protection. Let us consider the features of interior and exterior walls, their functionality and requirements for materials and thickness.

• Interior walls
  Interior walls are designed to divide premises into separate zones and to structure the house from the inside. They usually do not carry a significant load and their thickness is mainly determined by functionality and design requirements. The minimum thickness of interior walls is usually 10-15 cm, depending on the materials used.
• Exterior walls
  Exterior walls play an important role in the stability of a building and its protection from external influences. The minimum thickness of exterior walls can vary from 38 cm to 51 cm or more, depending on the materials used and the extent of thermal insulation. Exterior walls should have high strength and excellent thermal insulation characteristics to ensure the comfort and energy efficiency of the building.

The rational choice of materials and optimal wall thicknesses are important in construction, as they ensure the quality and efficiency of the structure, taking into account functional and aesthetic requirements.