Liuhua Prefabricated Panel House

In essence, Liuhua prefabricated panel houses are constructed using prefabricated panel components. These types of houses have certain safety hazards, especially performing poorly in earthquakes and having a limited service life.

Basic Characteristics of Prefabricated Panel Houses

Prefabricated panel houses are built with prefabricated panels as the main components. This construction method originated in the early 20th century. In China, most residential buildings constructed before 1985 adopted this type of structure. Prefabricated panels are concrete panels pre-made in factories and then transported to construction sites for assembly and splicing to form the floor slabs, walls, and other structural parts of the houses.

Weak Seismic Performance

The weak seismic performance of prefabricated panel houses is one of their significant drawbacks. The connections between the prefabricated panels are often not tight enough. When encountering strong earthquakes, the floor slabs are prone to displacement or even collapse. For example, during the Liuzhou earthquake on May 18, 2026, some old prefabricated panel buildings constructed in the 1980s and 1990s collapsed. This is mainly because the overall integrity of the prefabricated panel structure is poor. Under the action of seismic waves, the connections between the various prefabricated panels are easily damaged, causing the structure to lose stability.

Poor Sound and Thermal Insulation

In addition to seismic performance, the sound and thermal insulation effects of prefabricated panel houses are also unsatisfactory. Due to the material and structural characteristics of the prefabricated panels, sound and heat can easily pass through the gaps between the panels, making the indoor environment greatly affected by external noise and temperature changes. This not only affects the comfort of living but may also increase energy consumption. For example, more heating is required in winter to maintain indoor temperature, and more air conditioning is needed in summer to lower indoor temperature.

Limited Service Life

The service life of prefabricated panel houses is generally around 30 - 50 years. Over time, the prefabricated panels are affected by the natural environment, such as wind, sun, and rain, leading to problems such as concrete aging and steel bar corrosion, which reduce the structural safety and performance of the houses. Therefore, for prefabricated panel houses with a long service life, regular inspections and maintenance are required, and reinforcement or renovation should be carried out when necessary.