PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

INTRODUCTION

Technological improvement over the year has contributed immensely to the

enhancement of quality of life through various new products and services. One such
revolution was the pre–engineered buildings. Steel industry is growing rapidly in almost all
the parts of the world. The use of steel structures is not only economical but also eco-
friendly at the time when there is a threat of global warming. Pre-engineered buildings are
nothing but steel buildings in which excess steel is avoided by tapering the sections as per
the bending moment’s requirement. One may think about its possibility, but it’s a fact many
people are not aware about Pre Engineered Buildings.

MEANING –
https://happho.com/preengineered-building-pebs/
http://www.understandconstruction.com/pre-engineered-buildings.html

Pre-engineered buildings concept involves the steel building systems which are
predesigned and prefabricated in a factory in accordance with the design specifications
and they are erected in the site, joined together using bolts. Steel is especially well-suited
to pre-engineering. Steel is well known for its properties and strength. The load-carrying
properties of steel, created in mills according to strict industry standards, are consistent
and verifiable.
As the name indicates, this concept involves pre-engineering of structural elements
using a predetermined registry of building materials and manufacturing techniques that
can be proficiently complied with a wide range of structural and aesthetic design
requirements. The basis of the PEB concept lies in providing the section at a location only
according to the requirement at that spot. The sections can be varying throughout the
length according to the bending moment diagram.
The prefabricated structural members are usually “I” sections. Tapered I sections
made with built-up thin plates are used to achieve this configuration. The foundations of
these buildings are the conventional concrete foundations to support the lighter super
structure and to carry heavy loads. The floor of such buildings is also built of conventional
concrete in certain cases.
This type of pre-engineered building is preferred for
 Low rise industrial buildings
 Warehouses
 Power plants
 Laboratories
 Airport hangers
 Factories
 Showrooms
 Corporate Office Buildings
 Schools
 Indoor Stadiums
 Outdoor Stadiums with canopies
 Fuel Stations
 Metro Stations, Bus Terminals, Parking Lots
 Customized Housing
 Large Exhibition Centres
 Aircraft Hangers
 Labour Camps
 Community Centres
 Railway Stations & Railway Storage yards
 Equipment housing/shelters
 Telecommunication shelters

This type of constructions is very fast to erect, and can also be dismantled and
moved to another site – more on that later. These structures are sometimes called ‘metal
boxes’ or ‘tin sheds’ by laymen – they are essentially rectangular boxes enclosed in a skin
of corrugated metal sheeting.
As the word pre-engineers implies, before building materials are produced, a
structural engineer determines basic building specifics on the basis of local building codes
and required loads. State-of-the-art steel-assisted computer design programs enable
engineers to plan the building fast and accurately in 2D. The programs produce drawings
based on the data given by the designer, describing the exact requirements for
constructing the steel framing of each component. Then to calculate the size and spacing
of the steel components, the engineer uses 3D models of the structure.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREFABRICATED AND PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

https://www.bungersteel.com/blog/news/the-difference-between-prefabricated-and-pre-
engineered-steel/
https://www.bansalroofing.com/difference-between-prefabricated-pre-engineered-steel/

Steel buildings are made in many different forms – from prefabricated and pre-
engineered buildings, these two are the most popular choices when it comes to steel
buildings. Both construction types are strong, efficient and economical, and all you need to
know is what works best for your company or project. They may both sound similar but the
process of making and assembling is very different from each other.
PREFABRICATED BUILDING PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING
structure components of the building are build where the specs have been
manufactured in a factory then taken to the determined before the production of the
 job site to be assembled building materials.
All the components are then just customized to the client’s needs and
assembled or sub-assembled to make the designed to meet the exact specifications.
final structure of the building.
used as a skeleton for a pre-engineered also use a prefabricated skeleton to build
building but can also come ready to build the framework for the new build and can
and use, as is. also be customized to allow for more
design flexibility.
easy to assemble, take less time to put can be any size, shape, height, or style as
together, and come in a variety of different long as the design is in accordance with
sizes to suit any project zoning laws and ordinances

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL STEEL BUILDING AND PRE-

ENGINEERED BUILDING
https://cormode.com/2016/11/whats-difference-anyway-pre-engineered-steel-buildings-vs-
conventional-steel-buildings/

CONVENTIONAL STEEL BUILDING PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

Occurs step-by-step: excavation and Because the design creates standard
foundations are constructed before framing sections and connections, pre-engineered
begins.  buildings are quickly erected onsite. 
Each component must be completed Each component is fabricated to suit the
before moving to the next step, so design, and then the steel structures are
scheduling is dependent upon each trade’s delivered to site.
efficiency.
Design impacts schedule immensely, Have a quicker project turnaround and can
particularly if it’s a complex design and often be constructed in just 6 to 8 weeks
because each component is designed from after approval of drawings. PEB will thus
scratch, the project duration averages reduce total construction time of the project
about six to ten months. by at least 30%.
Can provide more flexible design options, Design is quick and efficient, while also
but they also require thorough, ongoing being flexible, due to its streamlined
maintenance and, because they weigh approach. Pre-engineered construction
more than pre-engineered buildings, they lends itself toward a simpler design.
can weaken foundations over time.
This method has higher labor costs and If the design constraints are equitable for
produces a lot of construction waste. your project, pre-engineered buildings offer
a lower cost, less waste, low maintenance,
durability, seismic soundness (flexible
frames), and ease of expansion.

Today, pre-engineered buildings make up more than 70% of commercial

construction and almost 95% of industrial buildings.  Not only has the pre-engineered
market moved beyond metal, offering, for example, concrete structures manufactured off-
site, but it also offers a myriad of finish options, such as stucco, stone, and synthetic
sidings that transform the look of the structure.
PLAYED VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EqVM9hP8TU

ADVANTAGES
https://s3da-design.com/the-history-of-structurally-pre-engineered-buildings/
https://globalsteelbuildings.ca/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-pre-engineered-building

 Construction time is reduced

This is because the pre-engineered building components are designed and
pre-built to be easy to assemble. With pre-engineered buildings, many of these
steps happen before the parts have even left the factory.
 Costs are reduced
When the parts arrive at the construction site, the skill level required for their
assembly is substantially lower because the components are prepared in-plant and
often with automation. Between the reduced time of construction and the level of
skill required, construction costs can be reduced by more than half using pre-
engineered buildings.
 Time Required for PEB Construction
The time required for pre-engineered buildings construction is less due to the
design of the structural components using advanced software.
 It is easy to expand
Pre-engineered steel buildings are dynamic by nature, as they are built and
designed to be modified quickly and economically before, during, and after the
building is completed to accommodate all types of expansion.
 Durable and weather-resistant
Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material, at
about 25 times greater than wood.  In fact, steel frames are lighter than wood
frames. Steel can also withstand extreme weather conditions including high winds,
severe snowstorms, hurricanes, and even earthquakes.
 Not high maintenance
Pre-engineered steel buildings and their components require little to no
maintenance.  When it comes to keeping things clean, their surfaces are easy to
clean with just soap and water.
 Can be functional and look good
These days steel buildings can be finished with the same exterior coverings
that structures made of any other building material are. With prefabricated steel
buildings, you can choose to add a finish that will prevent your steel building from
sticking out like a sore thumb. Traditional finishes like stucco can be used to
decorate pre-fabricated steel buildings or panels with a preferred color and texture
combination can be used.
 Sustainable and energy efficient
Building construction and maintenance consumes a significant amount of
energy, greatly increasing our eco-footprint.
 Greater resistance to fire
 Less need for a specialized labor force
 Lighter weight, which means less money spent on foundations

DISADVANTAGES
https://globalsteelbuildings.ca/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-pre-engineered-building
https://happho.com/preengineered-building-pebs/
 1. Design & expansion constraints
It is important to note that pre-engineered steel buildings usually only
accommodate expansion if the addition is an extension of the existing building in a
direction parallel to the ridge of the existing building.
2. Finishing details may take time
Because of the nature of the exterior walls in metal building systems, drywall
cannot be directly attached without adding additional structures. If walls require
insulation, an additional wall is generally used, decreasing the interior square
footage.
3. Susceptible to Corrosion
If not properly maintained the steel frames are susceptible to corrosion, thus
special coatings become necessary to resist the corrosion of steel. Steel has great
tendency to corrode when exposed to the environment, which leads to deterioration,
increased maintenance costs, and increased reconstruction costs.
4. Low Thermal Resistivity
Steel being a metal is good at conducting heat, thus it reduces the thermal
comfort in the building.
5. Low Fire Resistance
During fire, this type of building becomes more susceptible to damage due its
conductivity.
6. Buckling
Buckling and stability are also the major issue of concern in PEB. Due to this,
maximum eave height is limited generally to 25m to 30m and also stability iscritical
due large clear span.
7. Micro Cracks
With progressing time, it is observed that increasing yield stress, operating
stress levels, emphasis on plastic and ultimate capacity and the use of welded
construction have resulted in increased frequency if initiation of microcracks which
causes fracture in bridges and other industrial buildings. This micro cracks and its
crack growth is more hazardous in seismic areas.
8. Ductility from Seismic Considerations
Although steel is an ideally more suited material from point of view of seismic
design because of its property inherent material strength, stiffness, and ductility.
Weld ability may affect the seismic performance and it follows that new methods to
improve inelastic seismic performance of steel structures need to be investigated.

COMPONENTS OF PEB
https://screwexpert.com/blog/pre-engineered-building-peb-components-advantages-
disadvantages
https://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/AN-OVERVIEW-OF-PRE-ENGINEERED-BUILDING-
SYSTEMS.pdf
The major components of PEB are divided into different types they are,
1. Main Framing or Vertical Columns: 
The mainframes include the steel rigid frames of the building. The steel rigid
frames are made up of, tapered columns and tapered rafters (steel plate fabricated 'I'
or 'H' sections are referred to as built-up members). The frame is then erected by
bolting the splice plate of connecting section together.
2. Secondary frame or Purlins, girts, Eave Struts etc.
These are the secondary cold-formed members of the components of the PEB.
In this preparation, no welding is needed. They are prepared by welding the steel coil
in order to give it the desired shape. The Z-shape is for purlins and girts and the C-
shape is for eave struts.
3. Roof & Wall Panels
 Metallic plain or colour coated profiled steel sheets are used as roof and wall
sheeting.  Tin shades & Curtain Wall made of Glass & Roll-formed steel sheets
usually comes in the category.
4. Bracing system
From transfer of wind force and other acting loads form building frame to the
foundation at certain interval. X-bracing system is used to change the direction of
forces for reducing the impact of forces. Normally rod, pipes or angles are used for x-
bracing purpose.
5. Crane systems
used to improve material handling productivity allowing more utilization of space
by reducing traffic due to forklifts. The runaway beams of the crane are supported by
built-up sections with the cap channels.
6. Mezzanine systems
The mezzanine system is a framing system that consists of a black deck
supported by joists framed into main mezzanine beams.
7. Insulations and sheeting
The sheets made of steel are usually galvanized profile sheets that are
permanently color coated. Sheets are also coated with special paints for better anti-
corrosion properties. These are insulated through insulation slabs and the steel sheets
are fixed on top of it as roofing steel sheets.
8. Sandwich Panels
Sandwich panel is made of three layers in which a non-Aluminium Core is
inserted between two aluminium sheets.
9. Paints and finishes
Pre-painted steel is produced on modern high-speed coil painting lines where
the surface preparation before painting and paint curing is done on a highly automated
line under optimum conditions.
10. Structural subsystems (canopies, partitions, etc.)
11. Accessories, Attachments etc
There are various other building elements which may not be important
structurally but very important functionally and it adds performance of the building.
Skylight, wall light, Doors, windows, louvers, ventilators, turbo-vent, insulations, roof
curb etc. are equally important to the smooth functioning of the building.

PLAYED VIDEO:
Pre-engineered Building Assembly Process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R25VyXTFUWs

P.E.B STANDARD FRAMING SYSTEM

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/847802698590361933/
https://www.ferrobuildings.com/2019/05/types-pre-engineered-metal-buildings/
Each pre-engineered frame system is designed to suit a different purpose. Some of the
common types of metal building frames include:
1. RF System
have the steepest roof pitch at 4:12 and have the highest centre clearance.
These pre-engineered buildings come in widths from 30’ to 120’ and have a wide
variety of uses.
2. LRF and LRFM Systems
Metal buildings with LRF systems can offer excellent clear span space of up
to 160’ and, when columns are added, the LRFM system can reach a width of 500’.
They have a shallow roof slope of 1:12 and are commonly used in offices,
warehouses, and commercial and industrial buildings.
3. LP2 and LP4 Systems
These metal building types can reach up to 500’ in width and provide plenty
of clear span floor space by implementing jack beams, bar joists, and straight wall
columns. They also offer the lowest roof slopes available. It is ideal for shopping
centre or house palletized storage.
4. GC Systems
require simplicity in interior finishing due to their flush rafters, girts, and
columns. They are ideal for institutional and office buildings.
5. LSS and SSF Systems
use single-sloped roofs to offer simplicity and versatility. They offer plenty of
clear span floor space and single-side drainage, making them ideal for warehouses,
manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
6. LT Systems
If a metal building requires an addition, the LT frame system is the way to go.
This type of building uses a single-slope roof to create a kind of lean-to, which can
improve a building’s space by 10’ to 60’. This type of pre-engineered building can
adapt to nearly any roof slope.
EXAMPLE PEB PROJECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
https://www.facebook.com/pebsteelphilippines/

ON-GOING WAREHOUSE PROJECT IN BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES

This is a premium warehouse that has 43.85m width x 96.30m length and 9.34m of Clear height.
It is one of the on-going building erection on this project location and PEB Steel are using premium
products that will ensure the quality at the same time to minimize the maintenance cost of each building.

A 13,000 m² OFFICE BUILDING WITH A PARKING LOT IN THE PHILIPPINES

This is a 14-storey office building combined with a parking lot covering a total area of 13,000
m². It is built with pre-engineered steel construction technology to significantly reduce construction
time.
The frame of the building is made of high grade steel with a bay spacing of 10 meters, which allows for
optimal use of space by creating a flexible design for other architectural purposes.

A 128M CLEAR SPAN AIRCRAFT HANGAR IN PHILIPPINES

A 15m wide by 26m high Hangar door frame and coated by our BEST PROTECTION which is
HYPER180. It is very special with its AZ180 coating and PVDF paint. AZ180 coating is the Best
Coating Protection for severe corrosion (salt, alkaline, fertilizer, chemical, etc.) while PVDF paint has
extremely good gloss and color retention.
ON-GOING COLD STORAGE PROJECT IN QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES
A structural steel Cold storage that has 44.80m width x 84.80m length and 13m of Clear height.
PEB Steel used a high grade materials that will protect the building from corrosion and it will keep your
building in a first-class condition.

PLAYED VIDEO:
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PEB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33nKGsexJdM