Prefabricated Panel Frame Structure House

A prefabricated panel frame structure house is a type of building constructed by combining prefabricated panels with a frame structure. It offers advantages such as flexible space utilization and efficient construction, but it also has limitations, including weak earthquake resistance and a limited lifespan.

Definition and Structural Composition

A prefabricated panel frame structure house is composed of prefabricated panels and a frame structure. Prefabricated panels are cement components manufactured in factories using wooden molds, steel bar placement, and cement pouring. They come in two types: solid and hollow, and are primarily used for floor slabs and roofs. The frame structure, on the other hand, uses columns, beams, and floor slabs as its load-bearing system, with walls serving only as enclosures and partitions. There are two types of walls: infill walls (constructed with masonry blocks) and frame light panels (prefabricated wall panels connected to the frame with angle steel), neither of which participate in load-bearing. This structure combines the rapid construction advantages of prefabricated panels with the spatial flexibility of the frame structure.

Origin and Development

The prefabricated panel building form originated in the early 20th century and was initially used for floor slabs and roof insulation layers. In China, residential buildings constructed before 1985 often adopted this structure, especially during the 1970s to 1990s when it was widely used in urban affordable housing and economically applicable housing. With advancements in building technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings have gradually replaced traditional prefabricated panel houses. For example, prefabricated buildings use modular prefabricated components (such as CMC composite modules) to enhance earthquake resistance through steel-concrete monolithic pouring, reducing construction time by 30%.

Characteristic Analysis

• Advantages:
  • Flexible Space: The frame structure has no load-bearing walls, facilitating easy adjustment of interior layouts.
  • Efficient Construction: Factory-produced prefabricated panels shorten on-site construction time and are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
  • Strong Earthquake Resistance: The frame structure can meet seismic requirements through rational design (such as controlling the axial compression ratio of beam-column joints).
• Disadvantages:
  • Technical Complexity: The frame structure requires a large amount of steel and cement, with high construction precision requirements.
  • Performance Limitations: Existing prefabricated panel houses have weak earthquake resistance, poor sound and thermal insulation, and a lifespan of approximately 30-50 years.

Application Scenarios and Design Considerations

• Application Scenarios: Frame structures are suitable for multi-story and high-rise buildings, industrial plants, and earthquake-prone projects; prefabricated panel houses were once widely used in low-rise residential construction.
• Design Considerations:
  • Optimize the layout of prefabricated panels and the foundation plan to avoid short columns.
  • Use lightweight materials for exterior walls and combine structural columns with elevator shaft walls to enhance stability.
  • Adjust reinforcement and panel thickness for irregular layouts and improve foundation adaptability through independent foundations or basements.