The CD20 prefab assembly system is an industrialized building method in which prefabricated concrete walls, floor slabs, and other structural components are manufactured in a factory and assembled on-site to form a complete structural shell.
How it works
The CD20 system was developed in the Netherlands to address the demand for fast, affordable housing construction. The designation “CD20” refers to the classification of the building system within the Dutch construction industry.
The core of the system consists of standardized concrete elements with fixed dimensional grids. Walls, floors, and facade panels are cast under controlled factory conditions, resulting in higher and more consistent quality than in-situ poured concrete.
On the construction site, elements are lifted into their final position by crane. Joints between elements are then finished with mortar or in-situ concrete. The entire structural shell of a dwelling can be erected within a matter of days.
Key characteristics
- Standardized dimensions: mutually compatible measurements within a modular grid
- Concrete quality: factory-produced with consistent strength class
- Connections: wet or dry couplings between prefab elements
- Insulation: can be factory-integrated as sandwich panels
- Flexibility: various floor plans possible within the modular grid
Application
The CD20 prefab assembly system is primarily used in serial housing construction, such as terraced houses, apartment blocks, and multi-storey residential buildings. It is particularly suited for projects where speed and cost efficiency are priorities. Standardized production leads to significantly shorter construction times compared to traditional building methods. The system was widely used in Dutch housing construction during the second half of the twentieth century and remains recognizable in many post-war neighbourhoods.
Related terms
- Precast concrete
- System building
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