Liuyang Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses

There are prefabricated panel structure houses in Liuyang, which have certain issues but also corresponding reinforcement methods.

Issues with Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses

• Poor Integrity: The panels in prefabricated panel structure houses are simply placed on the load-bearing walls without effective connections. In the event of vibrations, the panels may shift or even fall. For example, in post-earthquake surveys of the Wenchuan earthquake, a significant proportion of the collapsed rural self-built houses were of prefabricated panel structures, highlighting the severe hazards of their poor integrity during earthquakes and other disasters.
• Safety Hazards: The prefabricated panel structure buildings in Chengdong New Village, Huaichuan Street, Liuyang City, were built many years ago. Houses in this area generally suffer from wall cracks and roof leaks, and many have been identified as having safety hazards, making it a concentrated area of dilapidated houses. Additionally, in the Xinyue Bandao community in Liuyang City, the cement prefabricated panels on the roofs of some houses have shown signs of powdering and peeling due to uneven cement-sand ratios and inadequate mixing during construction by the developer. The reinforcement bars are now visible, highlighting potential quality issues with prefabricated panel structure houses.

Reinforcement Methods for Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses

• Roof Reinforcement: The most basic and effective reinforcement method is to pour a layer of reinforced concrete 'composite layer' on top of the prefabricated panels. The specific process involves cleaning the dust off the surface of the prefabricated panels, laying a steel mesh with a diameter of 6 millimeters (with a spacing of 20 centimeters square), and then pouring fine aggregate concrete with a strength grade of no less than C25, typically with a thickness of 5 to 8 centimeters. This method enhances the overall integrity and load-bearing capacity of the roof.
• Wall Reinforcement: Wall reinforcement is equally crucial. A common method is to add 'reinforced concrete夹板 walls (double-wythe walls with reinforced concrete)' on the inner and outer sides of the walls. This approach effectively improves the strength and stability of the walls, enhances the seismic resistance of the house, and reduces the occurrence of wall cracks and other issues.