11 METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS, ROOFS AND CEILINGS – TYPES

R. Nithya

epgp books
  1. Introduction

Construction is the process of constructing any type of residential and non-residential structures. The process involves the construction of substructure and superstructure. Substructure includes the construction of foundation and superstructure includes the construction of walls, floor, roof, door, window etc., This chapter discusses the functions, materials, types, method of construction of walls and roof ceiling

  1. Objectives
  • To impart knowledge on materials used in construction of walls and roof
  • To understand methods of construction of walls and roof
  1. Method of Construction of Wall

    3.1 Wall Definition

It is a structural element that divides the floor area as needful to human beings

 

3.2 Functions of Walls

  • Able to provide protection from any environmental conditions
  • Divide the areas as purpose of utilization
  • Perform as sound proof
  • If walls accident with fire, it attenuate the spread of fire to another building
  • Enhance the building aesthetics
  • To provide privacy

    3.3 Materials Used for Wall Construction

 

The selection of material is very important in construction. To satisfy the present environmental condition, the selection of material should be sustainable, cost effective, adequate strength, availability, durability. Materials utilized for the wall construction are generally classified into two types based on the occurrence of materials namely naturally occurring and manmade substance.

  1. Naturally occurring substances a. Mud and clay

There are two types in clay based building walls. One is made up of mud mixtures and other substance is built by stacking air-dried building blocks called mud bricks. Similarly clay in building is mixed with straws to produce alight clay.

  1. Structural clay blocks

The structural mud bricks are mostly produced by clay soil mixing with binder materials namely sand, lime, concrete and stone. The compressed block is then air dried.

  1. Sand

Countries with high sand content soil is called sandcrete block. This type of blocks is weaker for structural usage but economical than clay blocks. Whereas sand is mixed with cement or lime can make mortar for masonry works and plastering.

  1. Stone or rock

It is a naturally occurring long lasting building material. It is abundantly available throughout the world also readily available material. Since it dense property, it gives strength to building construction. But its limitation is weight and greater energy utilized for making finer. In ancient period, the most of the buildings, monuments and temples were built only by stones.

  1. Thatch

It is one of the ancient building materials in the construction. It is mainly used to construct huts by tribes. It is acting as heat repellent agent. So in modern construction also it is laid over special ridge tiles. The main drawback is protection against fire is indispensible.

  1. Wood and timber

Since thousands of years, wood has been used as building material. Wood is tree products. Processed wood is called timber. Timber is available in the form of boards and planks. It has property of malleable under loads and can be used in extreme climatic conditions. The strength can be increased when compressed vertically.

2. Man-Made Substance

 

a. Fired bricks

 

Brick is the most commonly used material for the construction of wall especially in India. The difference between mud or clay block and brick is, bricks are burned in kiln at temperature of 12000. Brick walls are constructed to joint by mortar with arrangements of brick bonding. Brick bonding is the arrangement of bricks in walls and column. Brick bonding includes stretcher bond, header bond, English bond, Flemish bond etc., Bonding ensures the strength of the building, uniform distribution of loads in building and aesthetic appearance. Generally brick bonding’s are bricks laid as standing upright (soldiers), laid as lengthwise of wall (stretcher) and  laid as width wise of wall (header). Vertical joint of brick in each course should be avoided. Different types of brick bond pattern are

   1.  Stretcher bond

2.  Header bond

3.  Flemish bond and

4.  English bond

 

Stretcher bond: In this bond, bricks are placed as longer face in elevation. This type can be used for partition wall construction.

 

Header Bond: Width of the brick can be seen in elevation. This type can be used for the construction of one thick brick wall.

 

Flemish bond: In this arrangement, alternate stretcher and header are placed in same course. It is strongest bond relative to other bonds.

 

b. Foamd Panels

 

It is a form of interlocking blocks or panels. In this, concrete is mixed with synthetic polystyrene or polyurethane foam to make lightweight structural panels. Also foam can sandwiched between wood or cement to make panel boards.

  1. Glass

As for the architectural important of the buildings, glass is the predominant material in the construction of wall. The elegance of the modern buildings is improved by glass panels.

  1. Gypcrete

The composition of gypcrete is gypsum paste and fiberglass rovings. It has been used for many years especially for ceilings. After the study of the strength and qualities of walling system using this mixture of gypsum and fiberglass roving, it is been used for the construction of wall. It has significant strength as load bearing wall and possesses fire, thermal and earthquake resistance properties. Moreover, since the gypcrete material is completely recyclable, provides more environmental benefits.

  1. e. Metal

Metal is mainly used for the construction of prefabricated structure. Generally, it is used larger buildings namely skyscrapers and exterior surface covering. Corrosion is the major disadvantage in metal buildings. But it can be avoided by using steel alloy, which is combining steel with aluminum, zinc, tin etc.,

  1. Precast Concrete:

Precast concrete blocks are made at offsite and transported to onsite. Precast concrete can be made as solid block or wall panel. This makes the construction very quicker, time savings, available in desired colour, aesthetical appearance, superior durability & strength, safety & protection, ease of installation, consistent qualityalso environmental friendly.

 

3.4 Classification of walls

 

Walls can be classified based on the function and purpose

  • Based on the function of wall

The function of wall means how the load of the building is being transferred to soil through foundation. There are two types of walls such as 1. Load bearing wall and 2.Non load bearing wall

   •   Load Bearing Walls

 

In load bearing walls, the load from roof, floor is carried only by wall of 9” or more thickness. Beams and column are not constructed in this type. In brick masonry, first class bricks are being used. The disadvantages of this of buildings are not possible to rise the building more than two to threestoreys, utility space of the building is reduced due to 9” thick wall and the buildings with this type are not able to withstand dynamic loads.

 

•  Non Load Bearing Walls

 

Non load bearing wall buildings are said to be framed structure. In framed structure, slab, beam and column are the main structural elements. Therefore, load from slab is transferred to beam, beam to column and column to foundation footings. No load is transferred through wall except dead load (self weight of wall). So that, the size of the wall can be reduced. More number of storeys can rise by this type of method. It is the most effective for dynamic loading conditions.

 

•   Classification of Walls based on purpose

 

a. Buttressing wall: It is two walls perpendicular to each other both supports each other. Support is being given from base to top

b.Cavity wall: It is two layer of masonry are constructed separately to prevent the penetration of moisture and it acts as a thermal insulator

c. Compartment wall: A wall which is constructed as compartment to protect the speed of smoke, heat and toxic gases.

d. External wall: It is a wall for External enclosure of building

e. Partition wall: It is a non load bearing wall which divides the area of building

f. Party wall: A wall is constructed on one owner ‘s land but it is used by two or more owners

g.  Separating wall : The wall that separates two lands and it is common to both owners of the land of adjoining building

h. Solid wall: This is constructed by only one type of wall material and it does not include a

cavity between external and internal wall

i.  Supported wall: The lateral support is offered to wall by a combination of buttressing walls, piers or chimneys in conjunction with floor or roof.

j .    Trombe wall: A building that utilizes a grouping of thermal mass and glazing to gather and store solar radiation. so that, it can be used to heat buildings.

 

3.5 Occurrence of Structural Problems in walls

  • Cracks in internal and external walls

This problem is mainly due to the failure of foundation. These types of cracks can be filled by branded filler materials.

  • Damp spots appearing on internal walls

Damp spots and water penetration on walls are caused by number of reasons. One of the reason is condensation. Due to condensation, the warm humid air inside room when hits the wall which causes moisture in air and deposited on wall. This can be solved by maintaining heat and providing proper ventilation in buildings. Also drying wet cloths should be avoided inside rooms and providing proper ventilation in kitchen.

  • Water penetration

Water finds its way to enter into the building walls through cavities. Especially, water enters from ground to walls. This can be avoided by placing damp proof membrane.

  • Crack at the joint between ceilings and walls
  • Mortar falling out of brickwork and disintegration of brick

Due to defective construction, this problem is occurred. Spalling of mortar from brick wall is mainly by easy penetration of moisture into wall. This can be avoided by provided with rich mortar.

  • Walls bulging: This is the failure occur in wall ties which hold internalwall and external wall together.
  1. Method of Construction of Roof and Ceiling

Roof and ceiling are provided in overhead of superstructure which is very important structural element in transferring of load. The main difference between roof and ceiling is, the roof is exterior surface of overhead and ceiling is interior surface of overhead. For example, a three storey building has only one roof but three ceilings. The selection of roof for a building is depending on many factors namely type of building, type of foundation, load of the building, exposure of light, air circulation, aesthetic and economy.

 

4.1 Functions of roof and Ceiling:

 

It provides a complete enclosure for the building

 

It carries load

 

It protects the building from all environmental conditions namely heat, cold, rain and wind It controls the diffusion of light, sound, dampness and fire in and out

 

4.2 Classification of Roof

 

Generally roof is classified into Flat roof and Pitched or Sloped Roof

  1. Flat Roof: Flat roof means it is not completely flat. It has slope less than ten degree. This small incline is given to drain water. The top roof can be utilized effectively as gardening, place for accommodating heating and cooling units. Also flat roof design is simple and economical than pitched roof.
  1. Sloped Roof: There are different types in this.
  1. Gable Roof: It is also known as pitched roof. Roof slope is given in two directions. It provides more spacious, simple in design and construction. But this type of roof is not suitable for the high wind and hurricane area.

Hip Roof: Roof slope is given in all four directions. All four sides come together and form a ridge. It is more durable in any climatic conditions whereas design is complex and expensive

  1. Mansard Roof: It is known as French roof. This is also four sided slope, but double slope on each side is provided so as to form a low pitched roof. This type of roof tends style and aesthetic appeal to the building.

Skillion Roof: It is also known shed roof with single slope. In which one wall is taller and other is shorter. This type is mostly applied home additions like porches and shed. It is not suitable for more wind prone areas

  1. Jerkinhead Roof: It is a combination of gable and hip roof. This type is constructed as body of gable roof and end with hip roof. This type gives more aesthetic appeal but more complex design make more expensive.
  1. Butterfly Roof: This is constructed as V shaped roof. Outside section is provided with angle up and angle down in mid section. This appears as the effect of butterfly, gives natural ventilation at outside wings. This makes the building as energy efficient due to its natural ventilation. So , the modern eco friendly buildings can be constructed by this type of roof. The design is complex and more expensive.

Bonnet Roof: This is also referred as double sloped roof. The lower slope has less angular than upper slope. The porch of building can be covered by the hang of lower slope. This hang not only covering the porches also protect the wall from water damage. It is more difficult to construct.

  1. Saltbox Roof: This type of construction of roof makes asymmetrical design. Two different slopes are provided with, one side has slight slope and other side has steep slope. This is more suitable for heavy rainfall areas. The asymmetrical design makes the building more durable. The complex design makes inexpensive.

i. Sawtooth Roof: In this, two or more pitched roofs are fixed parallel to each other. It has sloped and vertical surface alternatively. The elevation of the building resembles as saw blade. It is preferred for modern residential buildings. It allows more natural light through the vertical surface of the roof. It is suggested for ecofriendly building as it provides convenience for solar panel fixing. The cost of construction is more expensive than other of roofs.

  1. Curved Roof: In this type of roof, roof panels are like curved shape. It improves the aesthetic of the building in modern construction. The curved roof is durable when the roof slope is less in high wind areas.
  1. Pyramid Roof:It is like a hip type of roof, in which four sides of roof are meeting together at the top. This type does not have gables or vertical sides. It has excellent resistant against high wind condition. Also provides high ceiling, ventilationand very good architectural view.
  1. Dome Roof: It is an inverted bowl shape polygonal structure. It offers pleasing and beautiful appearance. The cost of construction is expensive due complex in design. It can be constructed with prefabricated slabs.

4.3 Factors considering the selection of roofing materials:

  1. Durability
  2. Weight
  3. Appearance
  4. Eco-friendly
  5. Slope
  6. Fire and Wind safety
  7. Cost

4.4 Roofing Materials:

 

Roofing materials are either natural or manmade. The natural materials are slate and wood. The manmade materials are concrete, asphalt, sheet metal and plastic polymers.

  1. Materials for Sloped Roofs
  2. Asphalt Composition Shingles: It is made up of organic paper fiber or fiberglass fused with asphalt and coated with mineral granules. It is more resistant to fire. The cost is low to moderate

 

Metal Roofing Shingle: This is a composition of steel, aluminum, copper and zinc alloy. The durability of this material is depending on the coating by zinc or by protective painting. It is lightweight and has high scrap value

  1. Clay Tile Roof: It is made up of natural clay fired in kiln. Most commonly used roof material. It has excellent fire resistant whereas the durability is low and weight is heavy. Through it is brittle nature, used in recent construction in top roofing for elegance of the building.
  1. Slate Roof: It is made from naturally available rock stone. It is impervious to moisture and fire. It is expensive due to its energy required in making the tile.
  2. Concrete Tile Roof: This type of tile is readily available versatile material, which is made from plain cement concrete used for sloped roof. It looks like a clay tile. It is long lasting material and good in resistant to wind, fire and water also free maintenance.
  3. Concrete Slab for flat Roof: In this, reinforced cement concrete is used for making slab. It is more durable, strength, resistance to all climatic conditions and can be applied for the construction of multi storey building. But the demerits are, it requires time for setting and hardening. Continuous curing is necessary for improving the strength.

 

4.5 Classification of Ceiling:

 

 

Ceilings are classified based on their appearance and materials

Flat : It is a conventional type of ceiling and mostly used in all buildings with standard height of 3 m.

4.5 Causes of defects in roof:

  1. Sagging will result due to inadequate design of roof structure, where the rainwater retained on the surface causes potential problems to the building
  2. The roof covering material will get failure due to the supporting structure moves
  3. Proper surface coating should be given over roof otherwise, ceiling will be deteriorated.
  4. Improper joints between rafters in pitched roof
  5. Conclusion

From this session, you are able to understand the functions of wall, roof and ceiling. Further you received the knowledge on classification, type of materials used and defects in the construction of wall, roof and ceiling.

you can view video on METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS, ROOFS AND CEILINGS – TYPES

`

  • Web Links:
  • http://www.understandconstruction.com/walls.html
  • https://theconstructor.org/building/walls-types-features-and-design-concept/819/
  • https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Wall_types
  • https://www.roofcostestimator.com/top-15-roof-types-and-their-pros-cons/
  • http://info.stantonhomes.com/bid/97608/types-of-ceilings-photos-of-ceiling-styles