Prefabricated Panels for Housing

Prefabricated panels for housing are structures built primarily using prefabricated panels, which were widely used in the construction field in the past but are now gradually being replaced by new technologies.

Basic Concept and Production of Prefabricated Panels

Prefabricated panels are commonly used floor slabs in early 20th-century buildings and belong to the modules or panels required for engineering projects. They are concrete prefabricated components produced and processed through specific processes in prefabrication yards. During production, wooden models are first nailed, then steel bars are arranged, and finally, cement is poured to form the panels. Prefabricated panels come in two types: solid and hollow. The hollow structure reduces the amount of concrete in non-load-bearing parts, achieving lightweighting and facilitating transportation and installation.

Uses and Specifications of Prefabricated Panels

Prefabricated panels have a wide range of applications in construction, including use as floor slabs and roof insulation layers. Their dimensions are clearly regulated. In terms of span, the longest for residential use is 4.2 meters; widths of 500mm and 600mm are most common; thicknesses of 120mm and 150mm are typical; and lengths are generally based on a 300mm modulus. Regarding live load-bearing capacity, Grade 1 panels for general residential use can bear a live load of 1kN/m², Grade 2 panels can bear 2kN/m², and in the southwest region, the minimum specified is Grade 4 panels, which can bear 4kN/m².

Current Situation and Issues of Prefabricated Panel Houses

With the development of construction technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. Existing prefabricated panel houses have numerous issues, such as weak earthquake resistance, making it difficult to ensure the safety of occupants during natural disasters like earthquakes; poor sound and heat insulation, affecting living comfort; and a relatively short service life of about 30-50 years. Since 2022, China has implemented a policy of renovating old residential areas, focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses and only demolishing those that meet the criteria for dangerous buildings.

Advantages of New Prefabricated Panel Systems

However, some new prefabricated panel systems also demonstrate advantages. For example, the E-MIC prefabricated concrete box house system introduced by China Construction First Bureau is based on digital and modular design. It completes component splitting and other tasks on computer terminals, moves a large amount of traditional work to factories in advance, and achieves standardized and integrated production. This system offers more flexible spatial arrangements and is suitable for various scenarios such as urban renewal and old residential area renovations. It also poses no safety risks, although it has certain width requirements due to transportation constraints.