Prefabricated Assembly-Type Housing
Prefabricated assembly-type housing is a building form that involves the industrial production of building components and their on-site assembly. It offers advantages such as shortened construction periods and reduced pollution, with main types including panel-based assembly, box-based assembly, and frame-based assembly.
Construction Process
Construction typically begins with a pre-poured concrete foundation. Workers first construct the chassis frame of the house, lay the floor joists, position the prefabricated beam components, secure the joints with metal connectors to ensure stability, and then cover them with large wooden panels to form a solid platform. After the foundation platform is completed, the prefabricated wall modules are moved onto the platform and erected, fixed to the base plate with nail guns, transforming the house from a flat layout to a three-dimensional structure. Once the exterior wall frames are enclosed, the cutting and assembly of interior partition wall skeletons are carried out, while the floor beams for the second floor are laid. During roof construction, large triangular trusses are transported into position, and workers on the ground and roof cooperate to lift and install them on the top beams of the walls.
Technologies and Components
The technologies encompass prefabricated concrete structures and steel structures, with components including prefabricated products such as beams, panels, walls, and columns. For example, the prefabricated components in Jiangbei, Ningbo, Zhejiang, adopt a panel structure, connected by mechanical bolts, and utilize a sandwich insulation structure, enabling the main structure to be 'assembled' in just seven days.
Development History
China's prefabricated concrete technology originated in the 1950s and was initially applied in factory and residential construction. It experienced a resurgence in the 21st century due to its production efficiency and environmental advantages. Companies like Vanke Group have developed prefabricated shear wall residential structural systems and applied prefabricated frame technologies in engineering projects.
Type Characteristics
Panel-based assembly buildings use prefabricated wall panels and floor panels as core components, allowing for expanded usable area but with limitations in design flexibility. Box-based assembly combines prefabricated functional units, increasing construction speed by 50%-70%, but imposing higher requirements on transportation and lifting equipment. Modular buildings represent a higher level of integration within prefabricated assembly-type housing.
Market Situation
Chinese-made prefabricated houses are selling well overseas. According to customs data, in the first four months of 2026, the export of movable houses from the Guangzhou Customs district reached 1.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 38.1%.
