Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Options for Internal Walls

This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different options for internal walls, including block work, framed structures, timber walls, brick walls, and rammed earth walls. It provides insights into their characteristics, such as moisture resistance, durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. The document also covers the construction sequence for building internal walls and the elements used in constructing the front wall. Additionally, it explores the advantages and disadvantages of various types of roof structures, including gable roofs, hip roofs, mansard roofs, gambrel roofs, and flat roofs.

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Question 1: Advantages and disadvantages of the various options for the internal walls
Advantages of block work
 Ideal in areas that are moist
 Can withstand high storms and winds
 Energy saving and eco-friendly
Disadvantages
 High cost of construction
 Inaccessibility of mechanical or electrical installations in case of fault
Advantages of framed structures
 Quick to construct
 Ease of constructions
 Come in economical designs
Disadvantages
 Restricted lifespan
Advantages of timber walls
 Timber structures tend to be attractive
 Offers excellent circulation
Disadvantages
 Susceptible to abiotic factors
 Shrinks and swells

Advantages of brick walls
 Ease of formation of openings
 Ease of handling since pieces are of lightweight
 Easily available
Disadvantages
 Low aesthetic appeals
 Not durable in comparison with stone
 Water absorbing resulting in dampness and distortion over time
Rammed earth walls
Advantages
 Excellent soundproofing (Andreescu et al. 2016)
 Energy efficient
 Relatively fireproof
Disadvantages
 Need protection from heavy rains
 Does not provide good insulation

Question 2: Section through the external wall including a junction with the ground floor
slab, first floor slab and ceiling
Question 3: Advantages and disadvantages of timber stud wall construction
Advantages
Sustainability: Timber is one of the renewable materials used in construction. An increase in the
use of timber as a construction material has the potential of enhancing the growth and
development of forests to ensure more supply of the material (Preti et al. 2018). This is

comparable to other materials including concrete and bricks that depend on the extraction of
finite raw materials. Besides, construction of timber needs less carbon dioxide in processing as
well as production as compared to steel
Speed of construction: Erection of timber frame on the site is quite faster in comparison it block
and brick construction allowing interior trades including electrical wiring and plastering to start
soon enough in the building program since the interior will be subjected to weather for a short
time.
Quality: Offsite fabrication of timber may enable higher quality to be attained in comparison
with less controlled conditions on a site of construction. It is common for the fabricated timber
suppliers to as well undertake the on-site erection allowing in the controlled factor conditions to
be adhered to throughput (Preti et al. 2018).
Thermal performance: Timber structure is able to attain a better thermal performance in
comparison with masonry structure owing to the thinner construction. The low thermal mass of
timber enables spaces enclosed by timber frames to undergo heating more quickly in comparison
with masonry construction even though they as well tend to cool at a higher rate.
Strength and robustness: Timber structures remain both robust and strong provided the design
and construction is adequate. Cost effectiveness may be attained through careful design of the
elements of timber to make use of the optimal quantity of material for the needed strength
(Vinod 2019)
Disadvantages
Acoustics: Timber structures are not able to attain the same sound insulation levels as concrete
or masonry since they are not dense. Construction of two separate walls may be used in the

improvement of performance that leaves a structural break between them. Part of the break my
be filled using a sound absorbent material for example mineral wool
Condensation: Condensation may take place on the surfaces or may be interstitial condensation
taking place between the various layers of the building fabric ideally as a result of diffusion of
air from the warm interior to cool exterior of building and attaining the dew point within the
building envelope. Timber structures are not good as far as reduction in the problems associated
with condensation is concerned and may require the inclusion of a vapor barrier between the
insulation and the lining of inner wall to bar vapor from sipping through (Sim, Viriyavudh, and
Woo 2017)
Rot and infestation: Timber structures are prone to rot over time in case of poor maintenance
even though the frame is often generally properly protected. Adequate construction and proper
maintenance in needed to ensure timber is in the most suitable conditions for infestation not
arising
Fire risk: Timber structures are highly prone to the risk of fire in comparison with steel
structures as well as masonry construction (Vinod 2019).
Cost: Predesigned timber frame may be more costly in comparison with the other materials used
for construction.
Question 4: Overview of the elements to be used to construct the front wall
 Ceiling joist: Horizontal members holding the ceiling members together provided the
required strength.
 Common stud: These are vertical members for transferring loads to the bottom plates
 noggin: Defines a horizontal member running between various studs

 jack stud: A horizontal members linking the top late and lintel
 head trimmer: Also known as the lintel used for holding the doorway frame
 jamb stud: Placed immediately close to the opening
 sill trimmer: Serves for positioning the window frame
 Brace: A reinforcement bar for the vertical members
Question 5: Construction sequence from start of clearing to completion of the front wall
1. Clearance of the site: The site is cleared of any materials including leaves, stones,
branches and any other dirt
2. Installation of stud wall bottom plate: This is done as per the drawing designs with the
measurements taken precisely
3. Installation of stud wall top plate: Various joinery materials including nails would be
used in the joinery work to ensure adequate strength (Jozef, Svajlenk and Kozlovska
2018)
4. Installation of the vertical studs between the plates: The installation should be done with
regard to the recommended room height that would ensure maximum comfort
5. Noggins installation between the studs
6. Creation of the frame of the doorway: The framework is done as per the standard
measures of doors or otherwise as per the design requirements. The timber used for the
frame should be adequately strong.
Question 6: Advantages and disadvantages of the various types of roof structures to roof
the house

Gable roofs: also called pitched or peaked roof. Asphalt shingles, clay or concrete tiles, cedar,
metal and shakes are the common roofing materials
Advantages
 Easily shed water as well as snow
 Offer more space for vaulted ceilings
 Allow more ventilation
 Simple to design hence easy to build
 Cheaper than more sophisticated designs
Cons
 A challenge in high wind and hurricane regions
 Roof may collapse in case of inadequately constructed frames
 High winds may results in peeling away of materials (Kim, Hyun-Su, and Joo-Won 2017)
Hip Roof: The roof has slopes on four sides that are equal in length and meet at top to form a
ridge. Shingles, metals or tiles are recommended materials
Advantages
 More stable those gable roofs
 More durable and sturdy
 Ideal in snowy and high wind regions
 May provide extra living space with extra dormer
Disadvantages
 More expensive to construct that gable roof

 Complex to design and need more construction materials
 Additional seams may render it easily water leaking (Sanna, Fausto, and Fausto 2018)
 Mansard roofs: Had four sides with a double slope on every side meeting to form low
pitched roof. Materials used include wood or slate shingles, metals including copper or
zinc
Advantages
 May aid in creation of a great deal of additional living space
 Ideal for occupants who want flexibility
Disadvantages
 The low pitched part is not good for regions that receive heavy downpours
 More costly to construct as a result of establishments and details they are associated with
Gambrel Roof: More of mansard since it has two various slopes with the only difference being
Gambrel has two sides whle mansard have four. Wooden, slate or asphalt shingles are
recommended for use as materials (Finch, Gerard Guy 2019)
Advantages
 Offer additional living space for attic, loft or garret
 Simple to design and frame out
Disadvantages
 Not ideal for heavy wind regions as well as snowy regions

Flat roof: Have absolutely no pitch even though have a slight pitch to enable drainage and water
runoff. Metal sheets, rubber membrane, PVC, gravel TPO and roll roofing are recommended
materials (Li et al. 2019)
Pros
 Addition living space on the roof
 Conducive design for installation of PV solar panels for greeter energy efficiency
 Easier to construct in comparison with pitched roofs
Cons
 High susceptibility to water leakages due to low pitch
 May be more expensive in the long run as a result of maintenance as well as ongoing
repair and costs of replacements
Question 7: Section showing how the roof structure sits on the external walls
Question 8
Detail where the external walls are pushed to the eaves line

Bulkhead ceiling formed

References
Andreescu, Ioan, Alexandra Keller, and Marius Mosoarca. "Complex assessment of roof
structures." Procedia engineering 161 (2016): 1204-1210
Finch, Gerard, and Guy Marriage. "Non-orthogonal Light Timber Frame Design: Using Digital
Manufacturing Technologies to Facilitate Circular Economy Architecture." In Digital Wood
Design, pp. 1087-1115. Springer, Cham, 2019
Jozef, Svajlenka, and Kozlovska Maria. "Perception of economic, social and environmental
aspects of modern methods of construction." IJAME (2018)
Kim, Hyun-Su, and Joo-Won Kang. "Vibration control of smart TMD for retractable-roof spatial
structure considering closed and open roof condition." International Journal of Steel
Structures 17, no. 4 (2017): 1537-1548

Li, Jiehong, Behzad Rismanchi, and Tuan Ngo. "Feasibility study to estimate the environmental
benefits of utilising timber to construct high-rise buildings in Australia." Building and
Environment 147 (2019): 108-120
Preti, Marco, Malek Neffati, and Valentino Bolis. "Earthen masonry infill walls: Use of wooden
boards as sliding joints for seismic resistance." Construction and Building Materials 184 (2018):
100-110
Sanna, Fausto, and Fausto Sanna. "Timber modern methods of construction: a comparative
study." PhD diss., Edinburgh Napier University, 2018
Sim, Viriyavudh, and Woo Young Jung. "Wind Fragility for Honeycomb Roof Cladding Panels
Using Screw Pull-Out Capacity." World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology,
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural
Engineering 11, no. 10 (2017): 1368-1371
Vinod, B. R. "3rd_IA _CASE STUDY MATERIAL_ABM_ Comparison of Different Roof
Types in Housing Projects in Turkey: Cost Analysis." (2019)