A method facilitates assembling a diaphragm assembly for a steam turbine. The method includes forming at least one opening within a radially outer band and forming at least one opening within a radially inner band. The method further includes coupling at least one partition to at least one opening within the radially outer band including a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface wherein the at least one opening is at least partially defined by a wall that extends obliquely between the outer band radially inner surface and the outer band radially outer surface. The method additionally includes coupling the at least one partition to the at least one opening within the radially inner band wherein the at least one partition extends between the at least one radially outer band opening and the at least one radially inner band opening.