Characteristics of Prefabricated Panel Houses

Prefabricated panel houses are characterized by high construction efficiency and low cost, but they have deficiencies in earthquake resistance, sound insulation, and thermal insulation. Details are as follows:

Structural Characteristics

• Prefabricated Components and Connection Methods: Components such as floor slabs and wall panels are prefabricated in factories and then hoisted on-site, resulting in high construction efficiency. The components are mostly connected through welding, anchoring, or cast-in-place concrete, but the overall stiffness is slightly weaker than that of cast-in-place structures.
• Main Materials and Building Forms: Reinforced concrete is the primary material, with some components using prestressed technology to enhance load-bearing capacity. The building forms are mostly multi-story residential buildings with 5-6 floors, commonly found in staff dormitories and old urban residential areas from the 1970s to the 1990s.
• Manufacturing Methods: Models are made by nailing wooden boards, arranging steel bars, and pouring cement, resulting in two types: solid and hollow. The hollow structure achieves lightweighting by reducing non-load-bearing concrete, thereby lowering material costs.

Performance Characteristics

• Insufficient Earthquake Resistance: Despite the addition of a certain amount of steel bars, the overall earthquake resistance is still inferior to that of modern buildings. In the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, safety precautions are significantly inadequate.
• Poor Sound Insulation and Thermal Insulation: The thermal and sound insulation performance is poor, leading to hot summers and cold winters. Additionally, the sounds of neighbors can be clearly heard, affecting the quality of life.
• Difficulty in Adjusting Internal Structure: Unlike modern commercial housing, large-scale modifications are almost not allowed. Every wall may be related to the structure, making it difficult for residents to customize their living space according to personal needs.
• Risk of Water Seepage: Over time, cement components may develop cracks, and the gaps between components may increase, raising the risk of water seepage between floors.

Other Characteristics

• Design Life: As ordinary residential buildings, the designed service life is usually set at 50 years. Under normal use and maintenance conditions, the structural safety and functionality of the building should be guaranteed for 50 years, but the actual lifespan is influenced by factors such as material quality, construction techniques, and environmental conditions.
• Advantages: Fast construction speed and low cost greatly met the rapidly growing housing demand at the time, making it an effective way to solve housing problems during a specific historical period.