ABSTRACT
WALLS IN BUILDINGS 10.1 FUNCTIONS, TYPES AND LOADS ON WALLS All buildings contain walls that function to carry loads, enclose and divide space, exclude weather and retain heat. Walls may be classified into the following types: 1. Internal non-load-bearing walls of block-work or light movable partitions that
divide space only 2. External curtain walls that carry self-weight and lateral wind loads 3. External and internal infill walls in framed structures that may be designed to
provide stability to the building but do not carry vertical building loads; the external walls would also carry lateral wind loads
4. Load-bearing walls designed to carry vertical building loads and horizontal lateral and in-plane wind loads and provide stability
The role of the wall is based on the type of building in which it is used. Building types
and walls provided are as follows:
1. Framed buildings: wall types 1, 2 or 3 2. Load-bearing and shear wall building with no frame: wall types 1, 2 and 4 3. Combined frame and shear wall building: wall types 1, 2 and 4 Type (3) is the normal multi-storey building.
