What is a wall designed to support only the weight of itself called?

A wall designed to support only the weight of itself is referred to as a nonbearing wall. Nonbearing walls do not support any structural loads other than their own weight, meaning they can be built without the need to consider additional load from the structure above. These walls are often used for interior partitions or to create spaces within a building without contributing to the overall structural integrity.

In contrast, a loadbearing wall supports both its own weight and the weight of the structure above it, such as floors or roofs. Partition walls, while they separate spaces, can also be nonbearing; however, the term typically refers to interior walls that may not provide structural support. Shear walls are specifically designed to resist lateral forces, such as wind or seismic activity, and serve a different purpose altogether.

Understanding these definitions is essential for distinguishing between the types of walls and their functions in building design and fire safety considerations.