Single-Story Prefabricated Panel House

Single-story prefabricated panel houses are constructed primarily using prefabricated panels and have issues such as weak earthquake resistance, poor sound and thermal insulation, and a short service life. Currently, the focus is on repair and renovation, with only buildings meeting the criteria for dangerous structures being demolished.

Structural and Construction Features

Prefabricated panels are cement components manufactured in factories. During production, wooden molds are nailed together, steel bars are arranged, and cement is poured to form the panels, which come in solid and hollow types. The hollow structure achieves lightweighting by reducing the non-load-bearing concrete. This building form originated in the early 20th century, and many residential buildings constructed in China before 1985 adopted this structure.

Performance Defects

• Weak Earthquake Resistance: The structural strength of the house is low, and it is not earthquake-resistant. Composed of individual prefabricated panels spliced together, it inherently lacks robustness and toughness. Most prefabricated panels are designed with a hollow structure, and the quantity and distribution of steel bars inside are not as scientifically reasonable as those in cast-in-place houses. In the event of an earthquake, they cannot withstand the impact, and even slight vibrations can cause the joints between floor panels to loosen.
• Short Service Life: The service life is approximately 30 to 50 years, typically around 30 years, but it could also be as short as 20 years. As time passes, problems arise one after another. Many older prefabricated panel houses have been identified as "dangerous structures," with high repair costs and difficulty in restoration.
• Wall Issues: There are problems with wall cracks and water leakage. During rainy days, it may rain heavily outside while drizzling inside, with mottled and cracked walls, deformed floors, and leaking windows.
• Poor Sound and Thermal Insulation: The thermal insulation performance is very poor, making it hot in summer and cold in winter. During extreme weather conditions, the walls seem as thin as paper, and sound insulation is also poor.
• Limited Floor Panel Load-Bearing Capacity: The load-bearing capacity of the floor panels is limited, and improper decoration can easily lead to safety hazards.

Current Situation and Policies

With the development of building technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. Since 2022, China has implemented a policy of urban renewal, focusing on repair and renovation of prefabricated panel houses, with only buildings meeting the criteria for dangerous structures being demolished. Some regions have already initiated demolition work.