Collapse of Prefabricated Panel Houses in Hengyang

Several accidents related to house collapses have indeed occurred in Hengyang, some of which involve prefabricated panel houses or similar structures, but not all collapsed houses are of prefabricated panel construction. Here is a detailed analysis of the situation:

I. Accidents Clearly Involving Prefabricated Panel Structures
In the landslide accident in the Nanyue District of Hengyang on July 28, 2024, the collapsed guesthouse included bungalows used as kitchens and dining rooms, characterized by "white prefabricated panels falling from the first-floor rooms". This indicates that the building at least partially used prefabricated panels as floor or wall materials. Prefabricated panels were widely used in early construction but have defects such as fragile connection nodes and poor overall integrity, making them prone to structural disintegration under landslide impacts.

II. Accidents Without Explicit Mention of Prefabricated Panel Structures

1. May 8, 2025, Qidong County Accident: The collapsed residential building was described by relatives as an "old house" without specifying the structural type. Old houses may be constructed with brick-concrete, wooden, or prefabricated panel structures, requiring further investigation for confirmation.
2. Yueping Town, Yanfeng District Accident: Informed sources stated that the house was "at least a dozen years old" and that the collapse was related to strong winds and heavy rain. Such accidents are more likely related to house aging, inadequate maintenance, or extreme weather conditions rather than a specific structural type.
3. Liushu Town, Hengnan County Accident: An idle house collapsed due to strong winds, with its roof blown away, but no mention was made of prefabricated panels. This accident may involve lightweight structures (such as color-steel houses) or poorly maintained brick-wood structures.

III. Safety Hazards of Prefabricated Panel Houses
Prefabricated panel houses have exposed the following issues in some accidents in Hengyang:

• Weak Impact Resistance: Prefabricated panels are connected with cement mortar or steel bars, making them prone to disconnection under lateral forces such as landslides or earthquakes.
• Insufficient Durability: Early prefabricated panels may have issues such as steel bar corrosion and concrete carbonization, reducing structural load-bearing capacity.
• Limited Renovation Options: Prefabricated panel houses are difficult to extend or undergo large-scale renovations, and unauthorized operations may exacerbate safety hazards.

IV. Recommendations and Measures
For prefabricated panel houses, it is recommended to conduct regular structural safety inspections, focusing on connection nodes, concrete strength, and steel bar corrosion; avoid unauthorized extensions or modifications to load-bearing structures within prefabricated panel houses; and strengthen inspections before extreme weather events, promptly evacuating personnel from dangerous areas.