Prefabricated Panel House Design

The design of prefabricated panel houses requires comprehensive consideration of structural safety, functional requirements, and improvements to existing problems. The following explains from two aspects: design key points and reinforcement methods:

I. Key Points of Basic Design

Prefabricated panel houses are centered around factory-made cement components, which are divided into two types: solid and hollow. The hollow structure achieves lightweighting by reducing the non-load-bearing concrete, but it should be noted that its load-bearing capacity is weaker than that of the solid panel. During design, the type should be reasonably selected according to the load requirements. For prefabricated reinforced concrete floor slabs, the floor slab needs to be divided into several components in advance, which are then prefabricated in the factory or off-site and transported to the site for installation. This method can save formwork and shorten the construction period, but its overall integrity is relatively poor. In areas with high seismic fortification requirements (such as regions with a seismic intensity of 7 degrees or above), it should be used with caution, or structural reinforcement measures should be taken to make up for the defects.

II. Improved Design for Existing Problems

Existing prefabricated panel houses generally have problems such as weak seismic resistance and poor sound and heat insulation, which require targeted optimization:

1. Seismic Resistance Enhancement

   • Carbon Fiber Sheet Reinforcement: If the basic structure is sound, carbon fiber sheets can be pasted on the bottom of the prefabricated panels. This material is lightweight and has high tensile strength. After being fixed with a special adhesive, it can effectively enhance the tensile capacity of the floor slab, prevent crack propagation, and has no impact on the indoor space.
   • Section Enlargement Method: When the load-bearing capacity of the floor slab significantly decreases, a steel mesh can be laid on the original floor slab surface and new concrete can be poured (with a thickness of no less than 4 centimeters). This method forms independent prefabricated panels into a whole by increasing the section size, significantly improving seismic and load-bearing capacities.
   • Steel Beam Support: For old house types with large living room spans and no intermediate supports, steel beams can be added below the floor slab to disperse the pressure to the surrounding load-bearing walls and reduce the risk of floor slab deformation.

2. Sound and Heat Insulation Optimization

   • Filling Sound-Absorbing Materials: Fill sound-absorbing materials such as mineral wool and glass wool in the gaps or hollow parts of the prefabricated panels to reduce sound transmission.
   • Adding Insulation Layers: Insulation materials such as polystyrene boards and rock wool boards can be attached to the exterior walls or roofs to reduce heat transfer and improve the indoor thermal environment.

III. Construction and Maintenance Precautions

The reinforcement construction should be carried out by a professional team to ensure that the carbon fiber sheets are pasted flatly, the steel mesh is laid in a standardized manner, and the concrete is poured densely. During daily use, heavy objects should not be stacked concentratedly. The floor slab should be regularly inspected for cracks or deformations, and timely repairs should be made to extend the service life of the house.