Introduction to Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses

Prefabricated panel structure houses are buildings constructed primarily using prefabricated panels. These houses are rapidly formed through factory prefabrication and on-site assembly, featuring short construction periods and low costs. However, they have drawbacks such as poor earthquake resistance and susceptibility to cracking. After 2025, the focus will be on renovation, with only specific dilapidated houses being demolished.

Structural and Construction Characteristics

Prefabricated panels are cement components made in factories. During production, wooden models are nailed together, steel bars are arranged, and cement is poured, resulting in two types: solid and hollow. The construction process resembles building with “blocks”: entire walls and floor slabs are transported from the factory to the site and assembled by workers using cranes. This modular construction method significantly shortens the construction period, reduces on-site wet work, lowers dust and noise pollution, and meets environmental protection requirements.

Development History and Current Status

Prefabricated panel structure houses originated in the 1950s and were initially used mainly for factory and residential construction. In the 1970s, driven by policies promoting “industrialization, modularization, and standardization,” technical systems such as large-panel structures emerged, expanding their applications. However, by the mid-1980s, development stalled due to rising costs and quality issues, such as cracking at connections. In the 21st century, with improved production efficiency and increased environmental demands, prefabricated panel structures have regained attention, particularly in the renovation of old residential areas.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Short Construction Period: On-site assembly eliminates the need for concrete curing, making construction 30%-50% faster than traditional methods.
• Environmental Friendliness: Reduced on-site wet work lowers dust and noise pollution.
• Low Cost: Factory prefabrication enables mass production and high material utilization.

Disadvantages:

• Poor Earthquake Resistance: The connection nodes between prefabricated panels have low strength, making them prone to detachment or fracture during earthquakes. For example, some prefabricated panel houses collapsed entirely during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.
• Susceptibility to Cracking: Due to temperature changes or uneven loads, cracks often form at the connections between prefabricated panels and walls, affecting durability. An incident in Chongqing involved a floor collapse caused by excessive stacking of goods.

Post-2025 Policies and Renovation Cases

According to the 2025 regulations, only the following three types of prefabricated panel houses will be demolished:

1. Foundation-Damaged Houses: Such as those with foundation settlement exceeding 5 cm or wall cracks wide enough to fit a coin.
2. Houses Conflicting with Planning: Located within planned areas for subways, schools, etc.
3. Houses Over 25 Years Old: Where renovation costs exceed reconstruction expenses.

The remaining houses will primarily undergo renovation. For example, an old residential area in Fengtai, Beijing, rebuilt its prefabricated panel houses into new earthquake-resistant (magnitude 8) buildings and added elevators. Residents covered 30% of the renovation costs, with the government subsidizing the remaining 70%, significantly improving living safety and comfort.