What Are Prefabricated Panel House Structures
Prefabricated panel house structures are multi-story residential buildings formed by using prefabricated concrete panels as the main components, which are prefabricated in factories and assembled and connected on-site. The following is a detailed introduction to its characteristics from multiple aspects:
Main Components: The core components of prefabricated panel house structures are prefabricated concrete panels, including solid panels and hollow panels. Solid panels have a simple structure and strong load-bearing capacity but are relatively heavy. Hollow panels reduce their self-weight through internal hollow designs while saving material costs, making them a more common choice. These prefabricated panels are not only used for floor slabs but may also be used for some wall components, forming a standardized and modular building system.
Construction Method: This structure adopts an industrialized construction mode of "factory prefabrication + on-site assembly". Components such as floor slabs and wall panels are prefabricated in factories in advance and then transported to the construction site for positioning and installation using lifting equipment. The connections between components are usually made by cast-in-place concrete, welding, or anchoring to form an integral structure. This construction method shortens the construction period and reduces on-site wet operations, but its overall stiffness is slightly weaker than that of cast-in-place structures.
Connection Methods: The connections between prefabricated panels are crucial for ensuring the overall integrity of the structure. Common connection methods include:
- Cast-in-place Concrete Connection: Pour concrete at the joints of prefabricated panels to form rigid nodes and enhance the overall integrity of the structure;
- Welding or Anchoring Connection: Achieve mechanical connections between components through steel bar welding or bolt anchoring, suitable for scenarios requiring rapid construction;
- Prestressing Technology: Some prefabricated panels use prestressed steel bars to improve the crack resistance and load-bearing capacity of the components through tensioning processes, extending their service life.
Main Materials: The main materials are reinforced concrete, with some components using prestressing technology. Steel bars provide tensile strength, while concrete provides compressive strength, combining to form a high-strength and durable structural system. The application of prestressing technology further optimizes material performance, enabling prefabricated panels to maintain sufficient load-bearing capacity while being lightweight.
Building Forms: Prefabricated panel house structures are commonly found in multi-story residential buildings of 5-6 stories, often seen in workers' dormitories and old urban residential areas built in the 1970s-1990s. Due to their high construction efficiency and low cost, these buildings became the mainstream choice for quickly meeting housing demands at that time. However, with the development of building technology, their application scope has gradually narrowed, and existing buildings often require reinforcement and renovation to meet modern seismic and durability requirements.
Types of Prefabricated Panels: Solid panels and hollow panels are the two main types of prefabricated panels. Hollow panels reduce their self-weight through internal hollow designs, lowering transportation and lifting difficulties while saving concrete usage and reducing costs. Solid panels, due to their simple structure and convenient construction, were widely used in early buildings but have gradually been replaced by hollow panels.
