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 even when there is a slight buckling. This load-bearing wall, apart from supporting the loads, subdivides the space, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, and affords fire and weather protection.
Load-bearing walls are of the following five types:
- Solid wall
- Solid wall with piers (Pilaster)
- Cavity wall
- Faced wall
- Veneered wall
Solid Wall
It is a wall built of solid bricks or perforated bricks and designed to carry an imposed dead loads and live loads, including its self-weight (Fig. 17.1).
Figure 17.1 Solid wall
Solid Wall with Piers or Pilasters
These walls are similar to solid walls but the thickness of wall at intervals is increased (Fig. 17.2). The thickened portions are called as piers or pilasters. These walls are used for the following purposes:
- To carry concentrated loads from roof or floor beams
- To provide lateral support
- To reduce the slenderness ratio by stiffening the walls.
Figure 17.2 Solid wall with piers
Cavity Wall
Cavity wall consists of two structural leaves separated by an uniform continuous space called cavity. The two leaves are interconnected by metal ties (Fig. 17.3). The provision of cavity forms a barrier against penetration of dampness through the internal wall and also keeps the room cool because of air column in cavity. In such walls, the inner leaf will be of load-bearing and the outer wall carries its weight only. But bending moment is carried by the stiffness of both the leaves.
Figure 17.3 Cavity wall
Faced Wall
It is similar to a solid wall but with a different facing material. These two materials are bonded together such that both take the load. The facing material may be of a different quality such that it may give a better aesthetic view. Generally dressed stone facing is done on brick walls (Fig. 17.4).
Figure 17.4 Faced wall
Veneered Wall
In veneered wall the facing is attached to the backing but need not be bonded. The entire load is taken by the backing. The facing is mostly for decoration purposes or to meet aesthetic needs (Fig. 17.5).
Figure 17.5 Veneered wall
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