Steel Structures and Partitions in Building Construction
Steel Structures
Types
- Forged Unidirectional
- Bi-Forged
Variations
- With Board
- With Top and Bottom Board
- With Landfill or Curdled
Forged Steel Features
Made of rolled steel joists (IPE or IPN), offering high resistance with limited deflection.
Entrevigado Solutions
- Rasilla Vaults
- Ceramic or Cement Mortar Blocks
- Wooden Board
Another option is forged steel sheet combined with other methods.
Partitions
Introduction
Partitions subdivide areas for privacy, thermal/acoustic insulation, and housing utilities.
They are categorized by location:
- Trasdosados: Reinforce insulation, fire resistance, etc., on existing walls.
- Interior Dividing Partitions: Separate interior spaces within a dwelling.
The term “partition” encompasses various materials and techniques for dividing interior space.
Functions
Partitions distribute building space and fulfill key requirements:
- Strength: Support their weight and additional loads (sanitary ware, radiators, etc.).
- Stability: Achieved through horizontal and vertical bracing within the building’s structure.
- Thermal Insulation: Necessary for separating spaces with different temperatures or heating systems.
- Sound Insulation: Crucial for privacy between different units or noisy areas (e.g., plumbing, elevators).
- Lodging Facilities: Accommodate plumbing, heating, electrical, and telephone systems.
- Compatibility with Structure Deformation: Withstand structural movement without cracking. This is achieved by limiting deflection, increasing partition elasticity, leaving a ceiling gap, and filling the gap with plaster after most of the strain has occurred.
Partitions also address specific needs:
- Fire Protection
- Radiation Protection
- Moisture Protection
- Intrusion Protection
- Thermal Protection
- Sound Insulation
Classification
Partition systems are classified into two groups:
- Factory Partitions (Wet Work): Traditional masonry construction using mortar or paste.
- Partition Plate or Panels (Dry Work): Large-format, pre-finished elements assembled on-site.
Factory Partitions
These traditional partitions involve wet work due to the use of mortar or paste. They are characterized by:
- High cost and labor intensity
- Long installation time
- Difficulty achieving perfect flatness
- Drying time required before painting
Advantages include:
- Strength and insulation capacity
- Can be built by general builders
Common brick partition types:
- Hollow-brick with plaster: Used within dwelling units.
- Double hollow-brick with cement mortar: Used for delineating wet areas (bathrooms, kitchens).
- ½ Asta double hollow-brick with cement mortar: Used for greater isolation between rooms.
- 1/A perforated brick Asta with cement mortar: Used for separation between dwellings and common areas.
Partition Plate or Panels
These prefabricated elements offer easier and cleaner installation (dry work).
They can be installed with or without an auxiliary structure:
- Without Auxiliary Structure: Homogeneous (plaster) or Composite (brick and plaster, gypsum board and laminate)
- With Auxiliary Structure: Gypsum board on lightweight structure or Wood on light structure