What Does Prefabricated Panel House Construction Mean?

A prefabricated panel house is a dwelling constructed primarily using prefabricated panels, which are factory-made cement components quickly assembled on-site through a joining method.

Definition and Types of Prefabricated Panels

Prefabricated panels are cement components pre-made in factories. To create them, wooden molds are nailed together, steel bars are arranged inside, and cement is poured. After forming, the molds are removed, and the panels are transported to the construction site. Based on structural differences, prefabricated panels come in two main types: solid panels and hollow panels:

• Solid Panels: These have a solid concrete interior, offering strong load-bearing capacity. However, they are heavier, leading to higher transportation and installation costs.
• Hollow Panels: These reduce non-load-bearing concrete to create a hollow structure, achieving lightweight construction, lowering material costs, and reducing construction difficulty. However, their load-bearing capacity is relatively weaker.

Construction Background and Characteristics

Prefabricated panel houses mainly emerged in the 1970s to 1980s, when there was a urgent need to quickly address housing demands for workers. Industrialized prefabricated components were used for拼接 (assembly/joining) to build these houses. Their key characteristics include:

• Short Construction Period: Factory prefabrication of components and on-site assembly occur simultaneously, significantly shortening construction time and meeting urgent housing needs.
• Low Cost: Standardized production reduces material waste, and labor costs are lower, making it suitable for large-scale promotion.
• Simple Structure: Prefabricated panels serve as the main load-bearing components, with walls mostly being non-load-bearing, limiting design flexibility.

Significant Defects and Limitations

Although prefabricated panel houses addressed housing issues at the time, their defects have gradually become apparent over time:

• Short Service Life: The design life is typically 30-50 years, much shorter than the durability of cast-in-place concrete structures.
• Multiple Safety Hazards:
  • Walls are prone to cracking due to temperature changes or foundation settlement, affecting structural stability.
  • Aging pipelines (such as water and electricity lines) can easily cause fires or water leaks.
• Poor Living Experience:
  • Weak Sound and Heat Insulation: Gaps between prefabricated panels and their hollow structure result in poor sound insulation and insufficient winter insulation.
  • Weak Waterproofing: Joints are prone to water seepage, which, over time, can lead to indoor dampness or mold.
  • Unreasonable Floor Plan Design: Early designs prioritized function, resulting in low space utilization and poor lighting and ventilation conditions.

Modern Applications and Improvements

Currently, prefabricated panel houses are mostly found in old residential areas or temporary buildings, with new residential construction gradually phasing out this technology. Modern prefabricated buildings, while continuing the concept of prefabricated components, have significantly improved structural safety, durability, and living comfort through advancements in materials (such as high-strength concrete and composite materials) and connection techniques (such as wet connections and mechanical fastening).