What type of wall is designed to support only its own weight?

A non-load bearing wall is specifically designed to support only its own weight and is not intended to carry any additional loads from the structure above it. These walls primarily serve to divide spaces within a building and can be made from various materials such as drywall, brick, or masonry, depending on the design and requirements of the building. Since they do not bear any structural loads, non-load bearing walls can be removed or altered without compromising the integrity of the building's overall structure.

Load-bearing walls, in contrast, must support the weight of the floors and roof above, making them critical to the building’s structural integrity. Retaining walls are designed to hold back soil and other materials, typically on a slope, and typically play a significant role in the landscape. Shear walls are engineered to handle lateral forces, such as wind or seismic activity, providing stability to the overall structure.

Understanding the function of each type of wall is essential in construction and firefighting, as the stability and safety of a structure depend on the proper identification of these elements.