What is a vollewand (solid web or solid wall)?

Vollewand, also written volle wand, is a Dutch term for a structural element that is closed over its entire surface, without openings, trusswork or a cavity. In construction the term has three meanings.

1. Closed web of a beam

In steel construction, the vollewand is the closed web plate of a beam, for example of an I-section. A solid-web beam consists of a top flange, a continuous web plate and a bottom flange. It contrasts with beams that have openings in the web, such as a truss girder or a castellated beam.

• A solid-web beam is simple to make and to detail.
• A truss girder is often lighter for long spans, but more labour-intensive.
• A castellated beam has openings through which services can pass.

If a solid-web beam is built up from separate plates welded together, it is called a plate girder.

2. Sheathed load-bearing wall

A vollewand can also be a stud frame that is sheathed on one or both sides with, for example, plywood or sheet steel. The sheathing makes the wall stiff, so it can carry loads or act as bracing. It is important that the sheathing is fixed properly in structural terms, in line with the structural engineer’s calculation; the fixing spacing determines the stiffness.

3. Solid wall

A solid wall without a cavity is sometimes also called a volle wand, as the counterpart of the cavity wall. In older houses this is often a one-brick wall; fortifications and historic monuments feature much thicker masonry.

In practice

When renovating, the distinction between a solid wall and a cavity wall is important: a solid wall cannot be given cavity insulation and is more susceptible to penetrating damp. Insulation is then only possible on the inside or outside.

Related terms

• Plate girder
• I-section
• Truss
• Castellated beam
• Flange
• Cavity wall
• Half-brick wall

Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.