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Cavity Walls

Cavity walls are the most common type of external wall used today, consisting of two "leaves" or thin walls with an air gap between. This construction allows moisture to escape from the outer leaf while keeping the inner leaf dry. Proper construction of cavity walls requires ties between the leaves, ventilation of the cavity, damp proof coursing, and attention to moisture prevention both above and below ground. Cavity walls provide benefits like insulation and durability compared to solid walls.

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Caroline Mugure
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515 views7 pages

Cavity Walls

Cavity walls are the most common type of external wall used today, consisting of two "leaves" or thin walls with an air gap between. This construction allows moisture to escape from the outer leaf while keeping the inner leaf dry. Proper construction of cavity walls requires ties between the leaves, ventilation of the cavity, damp proof coursing, and attention to moisture prevention both above and below ground. Cavity walls provide benefits like insulation and durability compared to solid walls.

Uploaded by

Caroline Mugure
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CAVITY WALLS

 A wall constructed in two leaves or sins with a space or cavity between


them is called a cavity wall and it is the most common form of external wall
used in domestic buildings today.
 The main purpose of constructing a cavity wall is to prevent the penetration
of rain to the internal surface of the wall.
It is essential that the cavity is not bridged in any way as this would provide
a passage for the moisture.
 Air bricks are sometimes used to ventilate the cavity and these should be
built in at the head and base of the cavity wall in order that a flow of air
may through the cavity thus drying out any moisture that has penetrated
the outer leaf.
 Unless the wall is exposed to very wet conditions the practice of inserting
air blocks to ventilate the cavity is not recommended since it lowers the
thermal and sound insulation values of the wall.
 The main consideration in the construction of a cavity wall above ground
level damp proof course is the choice of a brick or block which will give the
required durability, strength and appearance and also conform to building
regulation requirements.
The main function of the wall below ground level damp proof course is to
transmit the load safely to the foundation, in this context the two half-brick
leaves forming the wall act as retaining walls.
 There is a tendency of the two leaves to move towards each other, due to
the pressure of the soil and the space provided by the cavity.
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 To overcome this problem it is a common practice to fill cavity below


ground level with a weak concrete thus creating a solid wall in the ground.
 It is also advisable to leave out every fourth vertical joint in the external leaf
at the base of the cavity and above the cavity fill, to allow any moisture
trapped in the cavity a means of escape.
 Parapets whether solid or cavity construction, are exposed to the elements
of weather on three sides and need careful design and construction.
 They must be provided with adequate barriers to moisture in the form of
damp proof courses since dampness could penetrate the structure by
soaking down the wall and by passing the roof and entering the building
below the uppermost ceiling level.

 A solid parapet wall should not be less than the thickness of the wall on
which it is carried and its height should not exceed four times its thickness.
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Bye-law requirements
 The building regulation requires that a building shall be so constructed that
the combined dead, imposed and wind loads are sustained and transmitted
to the ground safely and without causing any movement which will impair
the stability of any part of another building.
i. Bricks or blocks shall be of the required strength and properly bonded and
solidly put together with mortar.
ii. Cavities should not be less than 50mm nor more than 100mm in width at
any level.
iii. All cavity walls should have leaves at least 90mm thick.
iv. The leaves should be securely tied together with ties.
v. The leaves shall each be less than 100mmin thickness at any level.
vi. The combined thickness of the two leaves of a cavity wall plus 10mm
should not be less than the thickness required for a solid wall of the same
length and light.
vii. Mortar should be of the required strength .
A gauged mortar of 1:1:6 by volume is more suitable , the gauged mortar
should not be weaker than 1:2:9.
viii. Cavity walls of any length need to be provided with roof lateral support and
those over 3.000 in length will also require floor lateral support at every
floor forming a junction with the supported wall.

Advantages of cavity wall construction


i. Able to withstand a driving rain in all situations from penetrating to the
inner wall surface.
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ii. Give good thermal insulation, keeping the building warm in winter and cool
in summer.
iii. No need for external rendering.
iv. Enables the use of cheaper and alternative materials for the inner
construction.
v. A nominal 225mm cavity wall has a higher sound insulation value than a
standard one brick thick wall.
Disadvantages of cavity wall construction
i. Requires a high standard of design and workmanship to produce a soundly
constructed wall, this will require good supervision during construction.
ii. Slightly dearer in cost than a standard one brick thick wall.
Prevention of damp in cavity wall

 It is a recommendation that a cavity to be carried down at least 150mm


below the lowest damp proof course and that any bridging of the
cavity ,other than a wall tie or closing course protected by the roof ,is to
have a suitable damp proof course to prevent the passage of moisture
across the cavity.
 Where the cavity is closed at the jambs of openings a vertical damp proof
course should be inserted unless some other suitable methods are used to
prevent the passage of moisture from the outer leaf to the inner leaf of the
wall.
 A damp proof course should be inserted in all external walls at least 150mm
above the highest adjoining ground or paving to prevent the passage of
moisture rising up the wall and into the building, unless the design is such
that the wall is protected or sheltered.
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Cavity ties
 Cavity ties most commonly in use are of wrought iron or steel; these must
be thoroughly galvanized or dipped in hot tar and sanded to protect them
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from rust.
 Either copper or bonze or similar durable or non-corrodible metal ties are
selected for important buildings.
They must be so shaped that water from the outer leaf will not pass along
them to the inner leaf.
 These ties are distributed at a maximum horizontal distance apart of
900mm and 450mm vertically, they are staggered.
At door and window jambs and at angles they should be placed at 300mm
vertical intervals to increase stability.
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