Final answer:
Non-rigid or ductile connections are used to attach interior non-load bearing walls in order to provide flexibility that can absorb movements and stress from forces like thermal expansion and seismic activities, enhancing the building's overall safety and functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of non-rigid or ductile connections for attaching interior non-load bearing walls to the structure is critical for safety and functionality in architectural design.
These flexible connectors are essential for absorbing and mitigating the forces during movement or stress, which can occur because of thermal expansion, seismic activity, or wind loads.
For instance, this flexibility allows structures like the Auckland Harbour Bridge to adapt to changes in temperature without buckling, as the ductile connections accommodate the thermal expansion.
Additionally, since materials such as concrete and brick have very low shear moduli, they perform poorly under shear stress.
The inclusion of flexible connections helps prevent collapse or damage during heavy loading or earthquakes by allowing certain movements without transferring excessive force onto the interior non-load bearing walls.
Buildings like the Seagram Building in New York display the use of a glass curtain wall which also illustrates the concept of transferring loads to enable larger open spaces within structures.
In summary, the non-rigid connections in building construction offer both aesthetic advantages, allowing for fewer supports and more open, translucent walls, as well as practicality in enhancing the structural integrity when the building faces dynamic forces or stressors.