Rural House Cave Dwellings and Prefabricated Panels
In rural housing construction, prefabricated panels have gradually been phased out due to numerous defects, while cave dwellings cannot be elaborated on in detail due to a lack of relevant information. The following focuses on the situation related to prefabricated panels.
Poor Seismic Performance
Prefabricated panels were once widely used in rural housing construction, mainly due to their low cost and quick construction. However, they have serious issues with seismic performance. Under external forces such as earthquakes, prefabricated panels are prone to damage, leading to detachment or overall structural instability. This is because prefabricated panels are usually installed by splicing, and the connections between panels are not strong enough to effectively resist the horizontal and vertical forces brought by earthquakes, thereby increasing the risk of house collapse during earthquakes and seriously threatening the lives of occupants.
Short Service Life
The service life of prefabricated panels is relatively short, with an actual lifespan of only about 10 years. Over time, prefabricated panels will experience aging, cracks, and leakage. Aging leads to a decrease in the strength of prefabricated panels, and cracks may further expand, affecting the structural safety of the house. Leakage not only damages interior decoration but may also trigger electrical faults and other safety hazards.
Prone to Leakage
The gaps at the joints of prefabricated panels are the main reason for their susceptibility to leakage. During the rainy season, rainwater can easily seep into the house through these gaps, causing problems such as indoor dampness and mold. Long-term leakage can also erode the structural components of the house and shorten its service life.
Poor Thermal Insulation and Sound Insulation
The thermal insulation performance of prefabricated panels is poor. In summer, the indoor temperature is high, and in winter, it is low. Additional energy consumption is required to regulate the indoor temperature, increasing living costs. At the same time, their sound insulation ability is also poor, with strong sound penetration. They are easily disturbed by external noise, affecting living comfort.
Policy Restrictions
In view of the many drawbacks of prefabricated panels, the state issued a notice in 2002 prohibiting the use of prefabricated panels for the construction of commercial housing. Various regions have also responded accordingly. For example, Jining City has prohibited the use of prefabricated concrete panels as floor slabs and roof slabs since 2012, and Sichuan Province has done so since 2005.
