What is the function of 'Non-Bearing Walls' in construction?

Non-bearing walls are primarily designed to support their own weight rather than any structural loads from the building. While they may occasionally have to withstand some lateral loads, such as those caused by wind or seismic activity, their main function is to partition spaces within a building without contributing to the overall structural integrity of the framework.

Non-bearing walls differ from load-bearing walls, which support the weight of the roof or floors above them. Hence, option C is the most accurate description of the function of non-bearing walls because it highlights their role in supporting only their own weight and potentially small lateral loads, while clarifying that they do not share in the responsibility of carrying the building’s entire structural load.

The other choices do not accurately define the role of non-bearing walls: they do not support entire structural loads, they are not primarily designed for lateral support against wind and seismic loads, and they are indeed used in structural applications, albeit not in a load-bearing capacity.