Activity 3.1.

3 Commercial Wall Systems

Introduction
Commercial walls must typically withstand greater loads and heavier abuse than
residential walls and are therefore often built with different components. In this activity
you will examine the different parts that make up various commercial wall systems. As
you identify the components of these walls, notice the similarities and differences in
materials and sizes of the structural components.
Equipment
Engineering notebook
Internet access
encil
rinter
Keystone Library Renovation reliminary !uildin" #student version$.rvt
rocedure
In order to enclose the second level of the !eystone "ibrary, the existing exterior walls
will be extended using the same existing construction to the re#uired height. $owever, a
new wall must be constructed at the second floor on Column "ine %. Assume that the
new wall will be on the exterior side of the column line and will extend from the second
floor level to the height of the ad&acent walls on Column lines A and '. (he new wall
must also provide an exterior brick veneer to match the existing exterior brick. )ote that,
according to the design drawings, the renovation design calls for a total wall height of
%*+,-.. (his exceeds the maximum wall height per the )oblesville Code of /rdinance
0which you discovered in a previous activity1. $owever, the city has granted a variance
to the county library system to allow the library to exceed the limit and has approved the
building height as shown in the construction drawings.
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CEA Activity %.5.% Commercial 6all 7ystems 8 age 5
9esearch each of the following wall systems for use as an exterior wall on the second
floor at column line % in !eystone building.
"abel the components of each wall 0including at least exterior finish, insulation, and
interior finish1 on each sketch.
:ive the specifications for the wall components such as materials, thickness of
component, and type of insulation.
:ive at least one advantage and one disadvantage of each wall system for use in this
application.
6all (ype SKE%C& Advantages and
'isadvantages
Concrete ;asonry
<nit 0C;<1
"eft to right=
>rick
Air :ap
Insulation
C;<
Advantages=
'urable
?ireproof
7ound absorbing
'isadvantages=
9e#uires skill
2 3454 ro&ect "ead (he 6ay, Inc.
CEA Activity %.5.% Commercial 6all 7ystems 8 age 3
Cast,in,lace
concrete
"eft to 9ight=
>rick
Air :ap
Insulation
Concrete
Advantages=
'urable
?ireproof
7ound Absorbing
'isadvantages=
$igher cost
"onger time to build
9e#uires second finish
(ilt,up Concrete
"eft to 9ight=
(hin >rick
Exterior concrete
9igid insulation
Concrete layer for
structure
Advantages=
'urable
?ireproof
7ound Absorbing
(hin >ricks
?ast build time
'isadvantages=
'angerous
9e#uires second finish
"ight :auge ;etal
?raming
"eft to 9ight=
>rick
Air :ap
7heathing
7teel 7tuds
>att insulation
Advantages=
Inexpensive
"ightweight
'isadvantages=
Easily Crackable
Corrodes
)ot 'urable
Curtain 6all
"eft to 9ight=
;ullion
:lazing
Advantages=
'aylighting
:ood views
'isadvantages=
6eak
$igh ;aintenance
2 3454 ro&ect "ead (he 6ay, Inc.
CEA Activity %.5.% Commercial 6all 7ystems 8 age %
7elect a wall type for the !eystone "ibrary application and &ustify your choice.
C;< because it is the best wall and you can &ust pay some one to do it.
Include the new wall construction in the building %' architectural model.
Create a section view 0in the architectural software1 through the new wall. "abel all
building components.
Conclusion
5. Explain why the materials used in a residential wall system are different from a
commercial system.
Commercial walls are meant to be more durable, last longer and take more stress.
3. 6hy is concrete a popular commercial construction material@
>ecause its ready to work with, easy to work with, cheap and shapeable.
%. 6hat factors affect the selection of the exterior faAade of a commercial structure@
Boning codes and ersonal preference.
2 3454 ro&ect "ead (he 6ay, Inc.
CEA Activity %.5.% Commercial 6all 7ystems 8 age C