https://www.ijser.

org/researchpaper/AN-OVERVIEW-OF-PRE-
ENGINEERED-BUILDING-SYSTEMS.pdf - CHECK THIS LINK

PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

MEANING –
https://happho.com/preengineered-building-pebs/
Pre-engineered buildings are basically steel structures, the structural members like columns, roof
truss, purlins etc. being pre-fabricated in a factory in accordance with the design specifications and
they are erected in the site, joined together using bolts.

The prefabricated structural members are usually “I” sections. 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

 Ware houses
 Power plants
 Laboratories
 Airport hangers
 Parking lots
 Factories etc.,
Where it is necessary to have a large floor space area that is intermediate columns are to be avoided.
In these cases conventional concrete proves useless because over such long spans, the load due to
its own self weight increases, thus making the structure critical.

http://www.understandconstruction.com/pre-engineered-buildings.html
Pre engineered buildings are factory-built buildings of steel that are shipped to site and bolted
together. What distinguishes them from other buildings is that the contractor also designs the
building - a practice called design & build. This style of construction is ideally suited to industrial
buildings and warehouses; it is cheap, 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. 

Great speed is achieved because while the foundations and floor slab are being constructed, the
beams and columns - the structural system - are being fabricated in the factory. Once the
foundations and floor are done, the columns are shipped to the site, lifted into place by cranes, and
bolted together.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREFABRICATED AND PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

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

PREFABRICATED METAL BUILDINGS

Prefabricated buildings are manufactured in a factory then taken to the job site to be assembled.
These are typically used as a skeleton for a pre-engineered building but can also come ready to
build and use, as is. Prefabricated buildings are incredibly easy to assemble, take less time to put
together, and come in a variety of different sizes to suit any project, from sheds to garages to
airplane hangars.

PRE-ENGINEERED METAL BUILDINGS

A pre-engineered building simply refers to a build where the specs have been determined before the
production of the building materials. These specifications are determined by building codes and the
loads that are needed. Pre-engineered buildings also use a prefabricated skeleton to build the
framework for the new build.
Pre-engineered metal buildings can also be customized to allow for more design flexibility. Bunger
Steel’s custom buildings can be any size, shape, height, or style as long as the design is in
accordance with zoning laws and ordinances. Whether it’s a she-shed, restaurant, or airplane
hangar, we’ve got your custom project covered. 

HISTORY - https://s3da-design.com/the-history-of-structurally-pre-engineered-buildings/

In the 18th century, mill towns began to spring up all over the United States,
bringing with them all the trades that would support the mills’ working families.  Previously,
houses and businesses had largely been spread across larger areas, which meant that fire
was a remote occasion.  However, new mill towns packed homes and businesses into tight
areas so that a mill fire meant not only an immediate threat to the commerce of the
company and destruction of its products but also a larger scale loss to the community and
the mill laborers.
By the 1800s, communities were starting to develop firefighting units to help
address the problem, but one major step that mill owners took in protecting their interests
was using metal in the construction of their buildings. In fact, the first recorded use of
metal in a building was by the DitheringTon Flax Mill in 1796, who used cast-iron columns
and framing to stave off the disastrous results of what had become infamous cotton mill
fires.
So what does this have to do with pre-engineered structures?  Innovations in
metallurgy, including the creation of rolled iron beams, which were used, for example, to
construct the Cooper Union Building in New York, and the invention of a method to burn
carbon and silicon from the pig iron to create steel, led to durable structures that could be
manufactured and then transported to a site for assembly.  For much of the 19th century,
these one-story buildings were used for warehouses and farm structures.
Ironically, another mobile item, one that was far from the agrarian ideals of farming,
changed the face of pre-engineered buildings.  In 1901, due to the popularity of the Model
T, consumers demanded a storage place that would protect their new cars.  An American
company, The Butler Brothers, stepped up to meet the need.  Before 1909, the Butlers had
built pre-engineered farming structures, but they quickly retooled to create the first car
ports, which were arched frames over which corrugated sheets of metal were fixed.
By 1917, the phenomenon had spread beyond carports so that businesses such as
the Austin Company were offering a catalog of 10 standard pre-engineered building
designs that could be shipped to a construction site within a few weeks.  But it was the
1940s and World War II that made pre-engineered structures a ubiquitous part of the
American landscape.  The same design principles that created easily movable and just as
easily assembled metal Quonset huts and airplane hangers for the military insinuated their
way into mainstream construction following the war.

Today’s Pre-Engineered Buildings

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.

ADVANTAGES - https://s3da-design.com/the-history-of-structurally-pre-engineered-
buildings/

 A greater resistance to fire;

 Quicker construction time;
 Less need for a specialized labor force;
 Easy maintenance;
 Unlimited design possibilities;
 Lighter weight, which means less money spent on foundations;
 Cleaner construction sites;
  Environmentally friendly design;
 Energy efficiency.

https://globalsteelbuildings.ca/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-pre-engineered-building
 Construction Time Is Reduced
Pre-engineered buildings almost always take less time to construct than other
building types. This is because the pre-engineered building components are
designed and pre-built to be easy to assemble. With other building types,
many processes and steps take place right at the construction site.  With pre-
engineered buildings, many of these steps happen before the parts have
even left the factory.  A small shed, for example, that would normally take
weeks to build can take days.  Larger buildings, like commercial structures as
big as ten thousand square feet, are often completed in less than three
months.
 Costs Are Reduced
Because pre-engineered building components have been specially
engineered to fit together easily, steel building kits are much less complicated
to assemble than other building types. 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. State-of-the-art computer-aided design and manufacturing
processes (commonly referred to as CAD/CAM) are used to design and
produce structural components with high strength-to-weight ratio, minimizing
raw material costs and waste. 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.
 It Is Easy To Expand A Pre-Engineered Steel Building
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. Pre-
engineered buildings are usually  expanded by removing the end of the
building, erecting new framework, and adding matching roof and wall panels.
 Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings are Durable and Weather-
Resistant
Steel is one of the strongest building materials available in  today’s market.  It
has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material, at about
25 times greater than wood.  In fact, steel frames are actually lighter than
wood frames. Steel can also withstand extreme weather conditions including
high winds, severe snow storms, hurricanes, and even earthquakes. Steel is
also not susceptible to termites, creeping, cracks, splitting, rotting, and fire
like wood is. Metal buildings structures are usually treated with special
coatings like galvalume that protect their paint and surfaces from rust.
Reputable manufacturers typically offer extended warranties on their paint
and coatings that can last decades.
 Steel Buildings Are 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.
 You Know Where Your Building and Its Parts Came From
With pre-engineered steel buildings, one company is responsible for all of the
separate components that make up a building. Customer and construction
manager do not have to maintain a list of where each component came from,
in case repairs under warranty are required.
 Steel Buildings Can Be Functional AND Look Good
Steel construction technology has come a long way since steel first hit the
market over half a century ago. 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.
 Pre-Engineered Buildings are Sustainable
Building construction and maintenance consumes a significant amount of
energy, greatly increasing our eco-footprint. Choosing a pre-engineered steel
building for your construction project is an environmentally responsible
decision for many reasons.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/13678447/
 Fast erection
Low cost if choosing manufacturer’s standard package/inventory and no add-on
 Open clear span
 Can be easily expanded to grow with needs

DISADVANTAGES
https://slideplayer.com/slide/13678447/
 May not include all construction/fit-up needed for the building to serve the intended
purpose.
 Usually no internal finished walls

https://globalsteelbuildings.ca/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-pre-engineered-building
 Design & Expansion Constraints
Buildings may  require additions to accommodate growth. 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.One may, however, easily build
additional floors and expand the existing structures if they work closely within
the constraints of the existing build.
 Durability and Longevity Issues
Some detractors of steel buildings claim that metal siding and roofs fade
quickly and are easily dented.   They argue that pre-fabricated steel buildings
do not age well and look considerably different after a period of time.Recent
 advances in steel building technology and finishes, however, have provided
for increased longevity and strength, helping to avoid these concerns.
 Finishing Details May Take Time
Finishing construction on pre-fabricated steel buildings has been said to be
difficult. 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. Also, the columns in prefabricated steel buildings are
considered by some to be large and bulky, making them difficult to hide.
However, if you work with a reputable steel building provider, they will work
closely with you to ensure these details are finished to your specifications
and will make sure to communicate any timing changes or issues.

https://happho.com/preengineered-building-pebs/
 Susceptible to Corrosion: If not properly maintained the steel frames are
susceptible to corrosion, thus special coatings becomes necessary to resist the
corrosion of steel

 Low Thermal Resistivity: Steel being a metal is good at conducting heat, thus it

reduces the thermal comfort in the building.

 Low Fire Resistance: During fire, this type of building becomes more susceptible to
damage due its conductivity.

PEB vs NORMAL STEEL BUILDINGS https://slideplayer.com/slide/13678447/

 Structures are manufactured in factory under strict quality control environment, thereby
ensuring superior quality & finish
 Superior architectural features can be incorporated and excellent aesthetics can be
achieved
 Structures are mostly site fabricated wherein it is difficult to monitor & control quality
parameters.
 Limited scope for architectural & aesthetic features
 Faster completion time  - as civil works can be completed parallely
 Cost per SQM is about 30% cheaper than conventional structures
 Much slower completion time
 Cost is higher due to higher consumption of steel and other co-ordination issues involved

Components of PEB
https://screwexpert.com/blog/pre-engineered-building-peb-components-advantages-
disadvantages

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. They are fabricated using the state-of-the-art technology while the flanges
 are welded. The frame is then erected by bolting the splice plate of connecting
section together.
2. End Wall Framing: This is designed as a main rigid frame. The beam end wall
system of framing consists of columns with pinned ends. These supporting the
horizontal rafters are known as end wall rafters.
3. Purlins, Girts, & Eave Struts: 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.
4. Crane System: Crane system is 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.
5. Sheeting and Insulation: the sheets made of steel are usually galvanized profile
sheets that are permanently colour 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.
6. Mezzanine System: The mezzanine system is a framing system that consists of a
black deck supported by joists framed into main mezzanine beams.
7. 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.

PEB STRUTURE COMPONENTS

https://slideplayer.com/slide/13678447/
https://www.powershow.com/view0/905d7b-
OTUxN/What_is_Pre_engineered_building_PEB_powerpoint_ppt_presentation

1. Primary framing (The main frames)

 Pre-engineered building is a portal frame structure consisting of a main and secondary
frame and bracing system
 The combination of these components and the weather covering of the sheeting results in
robust steel buildings instead of individual frames
 In the case of modern structures, individual columns and trusses are individually built and
free-standing frames resulting in a bulky and heavy structure.
Column – rafter connection
 Functional need of the framing system, column to RS connection can be constructed in
several ways.
 There are different merits and demerits in each option of the rafter-column system, as
steel consumption continues to vary in each option.
 It is also important for the designer to opt for this for economic relation unless there are
any practical limitations.

2. Secondary framing (Z and C sections)

 The secondary framing system consists primarily of purlin and z or c shapes of various
sizes.
 In pre-engineered buildings usually cold form Z sections are used for secondary frames to
achieve high strength and lower weight.
 Usually cold process components used for roofing are called purlin and for walls it is called
girt.
  Sometime C section is often used instead of Z. Purlin/girts are members who transfer
forces and moments form one frame to another for the overall stability of the building
structure and all act as a weather-covering system for the purse of sheeting.

3. Roof and wall panels (single skin and insulated sandwich panels)
 Tin shades & curtain wall made of glass & roll-shaped steel sheets typically come in this
category.
 For the transfer of wind force and other acting loads form the building frame to the base at
a certain interval, the x-bracing system is used to change the direction of forces in order to
reduce the impact of forces.
 The second and second last bays are preferably designed as brace bays and, for economic
reasons, braced bays between every fourth bay.
 These braced bays are for the roof as well as the wall between two frames (bays).
 Normally, rods, pipes or angles are used for x-bracing purposes. In the wall bracings, two
columns form a haunch to the bottom o the columns.
 Sandwich panels: consists of three layers in which the non-aluminum core is inserted
between two aluminum sheets.
 Accessories: mezzanine flooring, bolts, insulation, etc.

4. Structural subsystems (canopies, partitions, etc.)

5. Floor systems (catwalks, platforms, etc.) and
6. Other building accessories (sliding doors, roll up doors, windows, etc.)

EXAMPLE PROJECTS
https://www.xgztf.com/product-category/industiral-building/?
gclid=CjwKCAjwyvaJBhBpEiwA8d38vMw1CdtxJtW2KIkNwAurKXy5Dxc852e8XL8kQj83S
whflqQYZkZlUhoC_e8QAvD_BwE

Project name: Hanger in Niger

Project address: Niamey, Niger
Total area: 2452㎡
Bay Spacing: 40m
Eave height: 8m
Ridge height: 9m
Amount of steel materials: 115tons
Special requirements: doors opening from, electrical folded pushing gates.
Project description: The hanger is in type of portal frame with interlayer. Its opening is truss shape. The
portal is made up of several electrical folding doors. These are all designed and installed by our
company.
Name of Building: Steel Structure Workshop
Structure System: Portal Frame Total
Steel Column, Beam: welded H Steels with mid-grey painting
Purlin: Galvanization C Purlins
Secondary Support: Galvanization, e.g. Tie Bracing, Bracing Bars, Angle Steels, all these will improve
the stability and durability of the whole structural building.
Roof Cladding: Sandwich panel
Wall Cladding: Sandwich panel + glass curtain wall
Transparent sheet & Ventilation System on top roof
Service: Design, Manufacture and Installation on site.

Name of Building: Steel Structure Workshop

Structure System: Portal Frame
Steel Column, Beam: welded H Steels with mid-grey painting
Purlin: Galvanization C Purlins
Secondary Support: Galvanization, e.g. Tie Bracing, Bracing Bars, Angle Steels, all these will improve
the stability and durability of the whole structural building.
Roof Cladding: Steel Sheet+ Fiberglass Blanket as insulation+ Steel Mesh
Wall Cladding: Steel Sheet+ Fiberglass Blanket+ Steel Sheet
Transparent sheet & Ventilation System on top roof
Service: Design, Manufacture and Installation on site.

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

RESOURCES

Slideshow
https://www.slideshare.net/Deltasteel/pre-engineered-steel-buildings-38695951
https://slideplayer.com/slide/13678447/
https://www.powershow.com/view0/905d7b-
OTUxN/What_is_Pre_engineered_building_PEB_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVAVg46MpjA

Research
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324889221_Overview_of_Pre-
Engineered_Buildings

Site
https://s3da-design.com/the-history-of-structurally-pre-engineered-buildings/
https://www.schemmer.com/what-are-pre-engineered-metal-buildings/
https://atad.vn/pre-engineered-buildings-introduction/
https://theconstructor.org/building/pre-engineered-steel-building-components-difference-
advantages/37187/
http://www.understandconstruction.com/pre-engineered-buildings.html