Disadvantages of Prefabricated Assembled Houses in Shiyan

The disadvantages of prefabricated assembled houses in Shiyan are mainly reflected in aspects such as structural strength, durability, living comfort, and renovation risks, as detailed below:

1. Poor Structural Strength and Seismic Resistance
The walls and floors of prefabricated assembled houses are mostly constructed by assembling prefabricated components, lacking the continuity and toughness of cast-in-place reinforced concrete. Some prefabricated panels are designed with hollow cores and have a low density of steel reinforcement, resulting in insufficient overall structural strength. Under external forces such as earthquakes or strong winds, cracks are prone to appear at the joints, and even structural collapse may occur. For example, the prefabricated panel house at No. 2 Jinan Road in Shiyan City, built in 1980, has a building age of 45 years. Its structure has been severely weakened due to long-term aging, further exacerbating safety hazards.

2. Prominent Crack and Leakage Issues
The joints between prefabricated components are weak points in waterproofing. Affected by temperature changes, foundation settlement, or material aging, cracks are prone to appear in the walls. In humid or rainy and snowy weather, these cracks become channels for water seepage, leading to indoor leakage and damp walls. Long-term leakage not only weakens the wall strength but may also trigger structural instability. Additionally, a humid environment is prone to mold growth, posing a threat to the health of occupants.

3. Insufficient Thermal Insulation Performance
The thermal insulation materials in prefabricated panel houses are usually thin or missing, resulting in poor thermal insulation performance. In summer, the indoor temperature is easily affected by high external temperatures, significantly increasing air conditioning power consumption. In winter, due to rapid heat loss, the heating effect is poor. Long-term residence may trigger respiratory diseases or joint problems. This characteristic of being "hot in summer and cold in winter" reduces living comfort and increases energy consumption.

4. Poor Sound Insulation
The assembled structure of prefabricated components results in high sound transmission efficiency. Conversations and footsteps from neighbors at night can easily penetrate the walls, seriously affecting sleep quality. Especially in densely populated areas, sound insulation issues may trigger neighbor disputes and reduce the living experience.

5. Limited Service Life
The designed service life of prefabricated assembled houses is usually 30-40 years, while the house at No. 2 Jinan Road in Shiyan City has been in use for 45 years, far exceeding the safe service life. Long-term aging has led to frequent issues such as wall cracks, powdering, and rusting of drainage pipes. Some components have even lost their load-bearing capacity, posing a risk of collapse at any time.

6. High Renovation Risks
Old prefabricated panel houses are difficult to renovate due to their fragile structures. For example, in the 2022 renovation project of the house at No. 2 Jinan Road, the construction party assessed that renovation might cause irreversible damage to the house and ultimately abandoned the implementation. This indicates that the renovation of prefabricated assembled houses requires careful assessment of structural safety; otherwise, it may trigger greater risks.