Xi'an Prefabricated Panel Assembled Housing

Prefabricated panel assembled housing in Xi'an was rapidly constructed in the 1970s and 1980s to meet housing demands. However, it has deficiencies in structure and insulation, and renovation costs are high, requiring attention to issues such as water and electricity, base layers, and waterproofing. Modern prefabricated building technology has achieved more efficient and precise construction.

Construction Background and Characteristics

The prefabricated panel houses in areas such as Xihoudi outside the South Gate of Xi'an were mainly built in the 1970s and 1980s. Due to the rapid growth of the urban population and a surge in housing demand, government agencies and state-owned enterprises adopted the method of assembling prefabricated components on-site for rapid construction. These houses, centered around standardized prefabricated components, completed the main structure through assembly, offering advantages such as short construction periods and low costs, quickly meeting the housing needs of employees. However, limited by the technology of the time, these houses had deficiencies in structural strength, thermal insulation, and sound insulation performance. Additionally, due to their long construction age, some houses have shown signs of aging.

Renovation Difficulties and Costs

In the second-hand residential transactions in Xi'an in 2026, the renovation costs of old prefabricated panel buildings are 20%-30% higher than those of new houses due to their long age. The main expenses are concentrated in the following areas:

• Demolition and Removal: Old residential areas lack elevators, resulting in high stair-climbing transportation costs. Moreover, the original walls often need to be chiseled down to the red brick layer, increasing labor costs.
• Water and Electricity Reinstallation: Problems such as aging aluminum wires, lack of grounding, and rusted galvanized or cast-iron pipes are common. For houses over 15 years old, it is recommended to completely replace the water and electricity systems, with a market price of approximately 120-160 yuan/㎡.
• Base Layer Repair: Issues such as hollow drums in sand-lime walls, moisture return, and floor settlement require reinforcement treatment. Aging waterproofing in kitchens and bathrooms can easily lead to disputes with neighbors, necessitating the reinstallation of waterproof layers.
• Layout Limitations: Brick-concrete structures have many load-bearing walls, and the load capacity of prefabricated panel floors is limited. Renovation plans need to be carefully designed to avoid overloading risks.

Progress in Modern Prefabricated Building Technology

Taking the Qinxing Jiayuan Affordable Housing Community in Qinhan New City, Xixian New Area as an example, modern prefabricated buildings achieve precise assembly through BIM pre-simulation + QR code traceability technology. Prefabricated components are mass-produced in workshops and can meet standards after 6-8 hours in a steam curing kiln (traditional natural curing takes one month). This project used 36,545 prefabricated components, including "sandwich" insulated prefabricated walls, with an assembly rate of 63%. The main structures of 12 buildings were completed in just one year, significantly improving efficiency and quality.

Prefabricated panel assembled housing is a product of a specific historical period. Its renovation requires comprehensive consideration of structural safety and functional upgrades. Modern prefabricated technology, through industrial production and digital management, provides the construction industry with more efficient and precise solutions.