4.1 Prefabricated Concrete Shear Wall Structure Technology
4.1.1 Technical Overview
Prefabricated concrete shear wall structures utilize prefabricated wall components either wholly or partially. These components are securely connected on-site and then cast with concrete and cement-based grout to form a unified structure. This method has become the most widely adopted and rapidly advancing prefabricated concrete technology in China in recent years.
The main types of domestic prefabricated shear wall systems include:
(1) High-Rise Assembled Integral Shear Wall Structure: This system uses prefabricated components for some or all shear walls. Vertical joints between panels are typically located at the structure’s edges, where cast-in-place concrete forms a unified connection with the prefabricated wall panels. Horizontal reinforcement bars are securely anchored in the post-poured sections. Horizontal joints align with floor levels, where steel bars are connected via sleeve grouting, grout anchor lap joints, or lap joints within reserved post-pouring zones. Each floor level features horizontal post-pouring strips and continuous longitudinal reinforcement, with closed post-pouring ring beams installed at the roof. This system incorporates stacked floor slabs, prefabricated stairs, and prefabricated or stacked balcony slabs. It is mainly used in high-rise residential buildings and offers load-bearing performance equivalent to cast-in-place shear wall structures, designed under the principle of “equivalent cast-in-place.”
(2) Multi-Story Prefabricated Shear Wall Structure: Compared to the high-rise integral system, this structure allows for elastic methods in structural analysis, with models tailored to the assembly’s specific characteristics. Construction connections are simplified, including edge components and horizontal joint connections. Requirements for reinforcement and hoop ratios in shear walls and edge components are reduced, enabling the use of prefabricated floor slabs and dry connections.
4.1.2 Technical Standards
Designs for both high-rise integral and multi-story prefabricated shear wall structures must comply with national standards such as the Technical Specification for Prefabricated Concrete Structures (JGJ1) and the Technical Standard for Prefabricated Concrete Buildings (GB/T 51231). The maximum allowable height for prefabricated integral shear wall structures is slightly lower than that for cast-in-place structures, while the height-to-width ratio limits remain similar.
As concrete structures, prefabricated shear wall systems must also adhere to standards including the Code for Design of Concrete Structures (GB 50010), Code for Construction of Concrete Structures (GB 50666), and Code for Acceptance of Construction Quality of Concrete Structures (GB 50204). For buildings with 10 or more floors or heights exceeding 28 meters, the general provisions of the Technical Code for Concrete Structures of Tall Buildings (JGJ 3) regarding shear walls apply.
Several key design principles must be considered for prefabricated concrete shear wall structures:
(1) Enhancing Structural Integrity: Reliable reinforcement connection technology ensures that precast components, combined with post-poured concrete, behave as a unified whole. Proper construction measures at connection nodes ensure bearing capacity and deformation are comparable to cast-in-place structures. Integrity focuses on the interfaces between prefabricated components and post-poured concrete, including surface roughening, keyways, steel bar anchorage, and supplementary reinforcement.
(2) High-Quality Materials: Prefabricated components are made with high-strength steel bars and appropriate high-strength concrete. Factory production and steam curing improve concrete strength, durability, and frost resistance, allowing for early demolding and increased production efficiency. Using high-strength materials reduces component cross-section size, facilitates transport and lifting, decreases steel quantity, simplifies connections, and lowers construction costs.
(3) Reliable Joints and Nodes: Connections must have clear force paths and dependable construction. Typical node designs undergo rigorous mechanical testing, construction trial runs, and field inspections to ensure adequate bearing capacity, ductility, and durability. If novel connection types are used outside current standards or drawings, thorough technical research and testing are required.
(4) Optimized Joint Design and Modularization: Proper joint locations, sizes, and shapes are crucial for assembling integral shear wall structures. Modularization and standardization are foundational design principles. Joint design affects building function, facade aesthetics, structural stress distribution, component load capacity, production, installation, and cost. Designs must balance building module coordination, physical properties, structural and component load capacity, construction efficiency, and quality control.
4.1.3 Scope of Application
Prefabricated integral shear wall structures are suitable for seismic fortification zones with intensities of 6 to 8 degrees and are ideal for high-rise residential buildings. The multi-story prefabricated shear wall system is suitable for low- and mid-rise residential buildings.
4.1.4 Project Examples
Notable projects employing these technologies include:
- Beijing Vanke New Mileage
- Beijing Jinyu Tixiang High-Rise Residential
- Beijing Jinyu Huafu 019 Plot Residential
- Buildings 6 and 8–11 of Binhu Guiyuan in Hefei
- Buildings 1–5 of Baohe Public Rental Housing in Hefei
- Buildings 96–99 of Haimen Zhongnan Century City Apartments
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