How Are Prefabricated Houses Connected

The connection methods for prefabricated houses mainly include the connection between prefabricated floor slabs and supporting structures, the connection of prefabricated wall panels, and the connection of modular buildings, ensuring structural stability and seismic performance through these methods.

Connection between Prefabricated Floor Slabs and Supporting Structures

The connection between prefabricated floor slabs and supporting structures (such as beams and walls) is a crucial aspect of the structural system in prefabricated houses. A common method is dry connection, including welding and bolt connection. Taking double-T slabs as an example, there are two typical forms of connection with supporting structures:

• Bottom-rib connection: By embedding steel plates at the bottom of the double-T slab ribs and welding them with corresponding steel plates on the supporting structure, or directly fixing them with bolts. This connection method offers high construction efficiency and allows precise control of the connection position through embedded parts, ensuring the reliability of load transfer.
• Tongue-and-groove connection: Grooves are cut on both the double-T slab and the supporting structure to form an interlocking tongue-and-groove structure. This connection enhances the overall integrity through mechanical interlocking and is particularly suitable for scenarios with high structural stiffness requirements. However, strict control of groove cutting accuracy is necessary to avoid excessive fit gaps.

Connection of Prefabricated Wall Panels

The connection of prefabricated wall panels needs to balance structural safety and construction convenience. Although specific processes are not detailed, the following logic is typically adopted:

• After the wall panels are hoisted into position, nodes are formed with adjacent wall panels or supporting structures through embedded connectors (such as steel bars and steel plates). For example, vertical wall panels may be connected through steel bar sleeve grouting, while horizontal connections are fixed to floor slabs or beams with bolts or welding.
• Node design must meet seismic requirements by incorporating energy-dissipating devices (such as metal dampers) or flexible connections, allowing the wall panels to undergo controlled deformation under seismic action and avoiding brittle failure.

Connection of Modular Buildings

Modular buildings divide the structure into independent modules (such as bathroom modules and bedroom modules). Each module is integrated with systems such as ceilings, floors, and plumbing in the factory before being transported to the site for assembly. The core of their connection lies in:

• High-precision positioning: Using laser positioning or guide rail systems to ensure that module assembly errors are controlled within millimeters, avoiding stress concentration due to misalignment.
• Cast-in-place connection technology: Pouring concrete or grout at the joints between modules to form rigid connection nodes. For example, vertical joints between modules may be reinforced with post-cast concrete columns, while horizontal joints connect steel bars through grout sleeves to achieve load transfer.

These connection methods, through mechanical interlocking, material bonding, or hybrid connection forms, collectively construct the mechanical system of prefabricated houses, enabling them to achieve seismic performance comparable to traditional cast-in-place buildings while meeting construction efficiency requirements.