4. Framework of the Partition Wall

The framework of the partition wall consists of the two runners with the mortised posts and their stiffening transoms. (See Fig. 12)

The width and thickness (d) of the runners and stiffening transoms must be suited to the posts.

Figure 9

1 foot runner, 2 post, 3 stiffening transom

Why must the width of the runners and transoms be suited to the posts?

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The runner height (s) and the height of the stiffening transoms should be 50 mm.

The posts must be sufficiently dimensioned to resist any acting horizontal forces and existing vibrations.

The dimensions of the posts depend on the room height and are shown in table 1.

Table 1: Dimensions of the posts

Room height H mm	Wxreq cm3	b	d	b	d	b	d	b	d	b	d	b	d
		all sizes in mm
1750	33	25	85	30	80	35	75	40	70	45	65	50	60
2000	38	30	87	35	81	40	75	45	72	50	67	55	64
2250	43	40	80	45	76	50	72	55	68	60	66	65	63
2500	47	50	75	55	71	60	68	65	65	70	63	75	61
2750	52	50	78	55	75	60	72	65	69	70	66	75	64
3000	57	60	76	65	72	70	69	75	67	80	65	85	63
3250	61	65	75	70	72	75	69	80	67	85	65	90	63
3500	66	65	78	70	75	75	72	80	70	85	68	90	66
3750	71	70	78	75	75	80	73	85	71	90	69	95	67
4000	74	75	77	80	75	85	73	90	71	95	69	100	67

Dimensions refer to a load of 750 N in the centre of the room height

Figure

Horizontal forces may be produced in the event of accidental pushes against the wall or of collisions by objects falling off. The distances of the joint posts depend on whether the material used for the surface covering is directly fixed to the post or to additional rafters.

Figure 10

Fixing of the surface covering material

(1) surface covering material directly fixed to the post
(2) surface covering material fixed to additional rafters
1 foot runner, 2 post, 3 covering material, 4 fixing means, 5 additional rafters

If the surface covering material is directly fixed to the posts, the lengths of the material dictate the distances of the joint posts. With partition walls for rooms intended for housing purposes and where the joints are not subjected to further working, the distances of the joint posts should be symmetrical.

In such case the length of the covering material is to be shortened.

Figure 11

Symmetrical arrangement of the posts

1 wall post, 2 joint post, 3 post, 4 surface covering material, 3 shortening of surface covering material, 6 section

If the surface covering material is fixed to additional rafters, the distances of the joint posts do not matter. The symmetry of the covering can be ensured by the material used.

Irrespective of the dimensions shown in table 1, the joint posts should have a width of at least 80 mm.

Why should the joint posts have a width of at least 80 mm?

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If possible, the posts between the joint posts should have equal distances so as to subject each post to equal load. Equidistant arrangement of the posts between the joint posts is all the more important if the fixing means (screws, nails) for the surface covering remain visible, otherwise the visible nail or wood screw heads would disturb the appearance of the surface covering.

The distance of the posts between the joint posts depends on the stability of the covering material. This also applies to the distance of the additional rafters.

The distance of the stiffening transoms should not exceed 1250 mm. If the height of partition walls requires several stiffening transoms, they should have equal distances.

If a door is necessary in the partition wall, it is to be included irrespective of the distribution of the posts.

For this purpose, a trimming is to be made to include the door post and door fixing post. The trimming also serves as door lintel transom.

Figure 12

Inclusion of the door in the partition wall

1 foot runner, 2 wall post, 3 head runner, 4 door post, 5 door fixing post, 6 door lintel transom, 7 stiffening transom, 8 post, 9 tail post

It may also be necessary to arrange a partition wall at right angles to the wooden beam framing.

Figure 13

1 wooden beam, 2 foot runner, 3 post

If partition walls meet at right angles to each other, a corner post and an additional post are necessary in the continuous partition wall.

Figure 14

1 foot runner, 2 head runner, 3 wall post, 4 joint post, 5 post, 6 additional post, 7 surface covering

The additional post is not taken into account when calculating the pitch size. It serves for holding the surface covering and must be offset accordingly. The corner posts and the additional post have the same dimensions as the corner posts.