Are Prefabricated Panel Houses Sturdy?

Prefabricated panel houses are not sturdy and have multiple issues, as detailed below:

Low structural strength and poor earthquake resistance

Prefabricated panel houses are assembled from individual panels, inherently lacking in robustness and flexibility. Most panels are hollow, with the quantity and distribution of steel bars being less scientific and reasonable compared to cast-in-place houses, resulting in extremely poor earthquake resistance. Even slight vibrations can loosen the joints between floor panels, and over time, cracks in the house will increase in number and size, potentially leading to the collapse of the entire building.

Fragile connection points

The connection between prefabricated panels and walls is simple, with only basic filling between panels. There is a lack of ring beams and structural columns, leaving the entire house without a rigid framework. When the foundation settles slightly or the walls crack slightly, the panels will shift and loosen. Over time, the connection points will gradually weather, the steel bars will rust, and the strength will decrease. After living in such a house for two or three decades, the floor panels may become precarious, and adding weight or knocking down a wall could trigger a chain reaction of collapse.

Substandard materials with high brittleness and easy breakage

The steel bars in standard prefabricated panels are relatively thin, but many small workshops, seeking higher profits, use thin steel wires instead of steel bars, and the concrete grade and thickness are often substandard. Such panels may look like solid concrete slabs, but they can crack easily upon impact. Moreover, prefabricated panels have the characteristic of brittle failure, unlike cast-in-place floors which have some flexibility and can hold up for a while even when cracked. Once a prefabricated panel exceeds its load-bearing capacity, it will break instantly without any warning.

Short service life

The service life of general concrete buildings is difficult to reach 70 years, while the lifespan of prefabricated panel houses is even shorter, possibly only 30 years or even 20 years. Over time, problems will arise one after another, such as wall cracks and ceiling leaks, and the originally somewhat sturdy structure will become precarious. Many older prefabricated panel houses have been identified as 'dangerous buildings', with high repair costs and difficulty.

Wall cracks and easy water leakage

The seams between prefabricated panels are prone to cracking and leaking. In reality, many prefabricated panel houses have issues such as wall cracks, ceiling leaks, floor deformation, and window leaks.

Poor thermal insulation

The thermal insulation performance of prefabricated panel buildings is poor, being hot in summer and cold in winter. In extreme weather conditions, the walls are like paper, unable to provide a comfortable living environment.