Cast-in-Place Prefabricated Panel House

A cast-in-place prefabricated panel house is a type of building constructed using a combination of cast-in-place and prefabricated panels or solely prefabricated panels. It differs from cast-in-place houses in terms of construction methods, performance, costs, construction periods, and applicable scenarios.

Construction Methods

The construction of a cast-in-place house is akin to making a cake on-site. Workers first set up molds and bind steel bars, then pour concrete. After it solidifies, the beams, columns, and floor slabs form an integral whole. In contrast, a prefabricated panel house is built primarily using prefabricated panels. These panels are cement components prefabricated in factories. During production, wooden molds are first nailed together, followed by the placement of steel bars and the pouring of cement. Once formed, they are transported to the construction site for direct assembly.

House Performance

Cast-in-place houses, due to their integral pouring, have good structural continuity and strong earthquake resistance, fully complying with relevant building standards. Prefabricated panel houses generally have some issues, such as weak earthquake resistance and poor sound and heat insulation. Their service life is approximately 30 - 50 years. However, hollow floor slabs, a special type of prefabricated prestressed reinforced concrete floor slab with longitudinal channels inside, save materials and reduce self-weight. This design gives them the characteristics of light self-weight, high rigidity, and good earthquake resistance, making them widely used in high-rise buildings.

Costs and Construction Periods

Prefabricated panel houses are relatively time-saving and labor-saving in construction. The construction period of prefabricated buildings (which can be regarded as an upgraded form of prefabricated panel houses) can be shortened by 30% compared to traditional methods. In contrast, cast-in-place houses require on-site concrete pouring and curing processes, resulting in a relatively long construction period. Costs may also increase due to the complexity of on-site construction and time costs.

Applicable Scenarios

High-rise residential buildings, large-span spaces, and places like bathrooms that have high requirements for structural integrity and waterproofing usually require cast-in-place construction methods. Prefabricated panel houses are more suitable for temporary buildings or situations with extremely tight budgets. However, when using prefabricated panels, proper joint waterproofing treatment must be carried out to prevent leakage and other issues.