Building Houses with Prefabricated Concrete

Building houses with prefabricated concrete is a construction method that involves industrial production of building components and on-site assembly. The main types include panel-assembled, box-assembled, and frame-assembled structures.

Construction Process

1. Component Production: The main components of the house are pre-cast in a factory. Workers assemble metal steel plates into molds using bolt connectors. After applying a release agent, they cross-place steel bars and bind them into a mesh framework with steel wires. Connectors are placed inside the steel mesh, followed by filling with concrete. Vibrators are used to remove air bubbles, and after pouring, the surface is smoothed. The components are then covered with plastic sheds and heating devices are installed to promote cement hydration reactions.
2. Component Transportation: After all prefabricated concrete components are cast, they are transported to the construction site.
3. On-site Construction:
   • Foundation Laying: A pit approximately 1 meter deep is dug at the house site location. A moisture-proof PE film is laid at the bottom, and "discarded concrete" is poured as the base. After solidification, guide steel plates for positioning prefabricated concrete piles are installed, and large prefabricated concrete slabs are placed as the house foundation.
   • Component Assembly: Light cranes are used to vertically lift reinforced concrete walls, which workers place in designated locations and secure with special brackets to ensure the panels are level and perpendicular to the ground at a 90-degree angle. After installation, concrete is used to fill the spaces within the reinforced concrete structure, forming an integral wall. Panel-assembled buildings use prefabricated wall panels and floor slabs as core components; box-assembled structures combine prefabricated functional units, increasing construction speed by 50%-70%, but requiring higher transportation and lifting equipment.

Advantages and Applications

Prefabricated concrete construction offers advantages such as shortened construction periods and reduced pollution. For example, a two-story reinforced concrete shell house can be completed in approximately two weeks. Prefabricated concrete technology in China began in the 1950s, initially applied in factory and residential construction. It experienced a resurgence in the 21st century due to production efficiency and environmental benefits. Companies like Vanke Group have developed prefabricated shear wall residential structural systems and applied prefabricated frame technology in engineering projects.