Prefabricated Panel House Construction
Prefabricated panel house construction is a form of housing that uses prefabricated panels as the main components, which are industrially produced and assembled on-site.
Types and Materials of Prefabricated Panels
Prefabricated panels are factory-made components. Traditionally, they are primarily made of cement, formed by nailing wooden molds, laying out steel bars, and pouring cement. They come in two types: solid and hollow. The hollow structure achieves lightweighting by reducing the concrete in non-load-bearing parts. Additionally, there are prefabricated panels with foam as an auxiliary material, such as those with giant foam placed inside and cast with concrete, reinforced with steel strands to enhance tensile strength. Wooden prefabricated panels are also used in house construction. For example, a beautiful wooden house can be built in just five days using these panels, without the need for cement or steel bars at all.
Building Forms and Technical Systems
Prefabricated panel house construction falls under the category of prefabricated assembly construction, with main types including panel assembly, box assembly, and frame assembly. The technology encompasses prefabricated concrete structures and steel structures, with components such as prefabricated beams, panels, walls, and columns. China's prefabricated concrete technology began in the 1950s and was initially applied in industrial plants, residential buildings, office buildings, and other fields, forming various technical systems. In the 21st century, companies like Vanke Group have developed prefabricated shear wall residential structural systems and applied prefabricated frame technology in engineering projects.
Construction Process and Characteristics
Taking a wooden house built with wooden prefabricated panels as an example, the construction process starts with erecting the basic frame and reserving the position for the main door. The roof structure is assembled to form a circular tray, which is connected to the walls to create a conical roof. The top closure is sealed with foam boards, and the interior and exterior walls of the house are filled and sealed with foam agents. Prefabricated assembly construction offers advantages such as shortened construction periods and reduced pollution. For instance, the construction speed of box assembly can be increased by 50%-70%.
Development History and Current Status
The development of prefabricated panel house construction in China has gone through multiple stages. After the mid-1980s, it entered a period of decline due to various issues. In the 21st century, prefabricated components have regained attention, with research and application showing a trend of recovery. Existing traditional prefabricated panel houses generally have problems such as weak earthquake resistance and poor sound and heat insulation, with a service life of about 30-50 years. Since 2022, China has implemented renovation policies, focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses.
