What is Cross Wall Construction?

A succession of walls is built perpendicular to the building’s lateral axis in cross-wall construction, a contemporary style of construction. Cross-wall construction uses a sequence of load-bearing walls to safely transmit the load to the exterior walls without the requirement for a building’s steel frame. The precast concrete wall panels used in cross-wall construction are made specifically for each construction project’s needs.

Features of Cross Wall Construction

• Most of the time, the series of walls are prefabricated in accordance with particular design specifications, enabling them to sustain the load safely towards the building’s base.
• Additionally serving as structural components, cross walls resist lateral stresses that act perpendicular to the wall’s plane.
• For structures featuring up to five levels with the same floor plan on each level, cross-wall construction is appropriate.
• Because the floor design resembles a row of boxes when the precast sequence of walls is put in place, cross-wall construction is sometimes referred to as box-wall construction.
• Apartments with identical floor plans that are divided by walls between adjacent rooms, such as those seen in hostels, educational institutions, hospitals, residential structures, etc., are a few examples of cross-wall constructed buildings.

Cross Wall Construction Steps

The following building processes are involved in cross-wall systems:

1. Precast components are delivered to the job site on schedule.
2. The precast wall components are positioned both vertically and horizontally. With the aid of concealed joints and ties, they are grouted and joined in accordance with the plan.
3. Mechanical and electrical installation work, finishing work, and other unrelated tasks on the walls must be finished before the entire structure is built.

Any of the following essential connections can join the cross walls:

• Horizontal joints between walls
• Vertical connections between walls
• From the foundation’s base wall

The front and back walls can be non-load bearing claddings when the cross walls are arranged parallel to the floor. Care must be taken in the design and construction of the connections between the cross walls and non-load bearing walls in order to stop moisture intrusion and other problems.

Advantages of Cross Wall Construction

1. A strong structure is created via cross-wall construction.
2. The construction’s initial cost is lower.
3. When compared to conventional construction methods, the cross-wall construction methodology results in significant time and cost savings.
4. The structure of the building is effective, with high fire and acoustic separation between the nearby spaces.
5. The building obtains significant thermal mass.
6. Site coordination is simple while building a cross wall.
7. The building provides increased security.
8. Structures built using the cross-wall construction approach require less upkeep.
9. Scaffoldings are not necessary for cross-wall buildings.
10. The building is sturdy and airtight.