Specification for Prefabricated Wall Openings in Assembly Houses

According to the 'Technical Specification for Prefabricated Concrete Structures' (JGJ 1-2014), in multi-story prefabricated wall panel structures, when the horizontal or vertical dimensions of an opening exceed 800mm, structural edge members must be provided at the edges of the opening, the ends of single-wall panels, and the intersections of vertical and horizontal walls to ensure the local stability and overall seismic performance of the wall panels.

Scenarios for Structural Edge Member Installation

• Around Openings: When the horizontal or vertical dimensions of an opening exceed 800mm, structural edge members must be installed at the edges of the opening. This is because larger openings can weaken the overall integrity and load-bearing capacity of the wall panels. Structural edge members effectively enhance the stiffness and strength of the wall panels around the opening, preventing local damage such as crack development and concrete spalling under load, thereby ensuring the safety of the wall panels under normal use and seismic conditions.
• Ends of Single-Wall Panels: The ends of single-wall panels are areas where structural forces are more complex. Under horizontal loads (such as wind loads and seismic actions), stress concentrations are prone to occur at the ends. Installing structural edge members can improve the shear and bending resistance of the wall ends, enhance the stability of the walls, and prevent damage due to excessive forces, ensuring the overall performance of the single-wall panels.
• Intersections of Vertical and Horizontal Walls: The intersections of vertical and horizontal walls are critical parts of the structure. Under seismic and other horizontal forces, the interaction between vertical and horizontal walls subjects these areas to significant internal forces. Structural edge members can effectively connect the vertical and horizontal walls, enhancing the overall integrity of the structure, improving its seismic performance, and enabling the vertical and horizontal walls to work together to resist horizontal forces.

Working Principle of Structural Edge Members

Structural edge members are generally made of reinforced concrete. By reasonably arranging reinforcement, such as longitudinal bars and stirrups, the load-bearing and deformation capacities of the members are improved. Longitudinal bars can withstand tensile and compressive forces, enhancing the axial load-bearing capacity of the members; stirrups can confine the concrete, improving its compressive strength and ductility, and preventing premature concrete crushing. Under seismic and other dynamic actions, structural edge members can dissipate energy through their own deformation, reducing damage to the main structure, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the prefabricated concrete structure.