Pre-Engineered Building

In structural engineering, a pre-engineered building (PEB) is designed by a PEB manufacturer, to be fabricated using best suited of raw materials available and manufacturing methods that can efficiently satisfy a wide range of structural and aesthetic design requirements. Within some geographic industry sectors these buildings are also called Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB) or, as is becoming increasingly common due to the reduced amount of pre-engineering involved in custom computer-aided designs, simply Engineered Metal Buildings (EMB).

 

The primary framing structure of a pre-engineered building is an assembly of I-shaped members, often referred as I-beams. In pre-engineered buildings, the I beams used are usually formed by welding together steel plates to form the I section. The I beams are then field-assembled (e.g. bolted connections) to form the entire frame of the pre-engineered building. Some manufacturers taper the framing members (varying in web depth) according to the local loading effects. Larger plate dimensions are used in areas of higher load effects.

 

Cold formed Z- and C-shaped members may be used as secondary structural elements to fasten and support the external cladding.

 

Roll-formed profiled steel sheet, wood, tensioned fabric, precast concrete, masonry block, glass curtain wall or other materials may be used for the external cladding of the building.

 

In order to accurately design a pre-engineered building, engineers consider the clear span between bearing points, bay spacing, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, wind uplift, deflection criteria, internal crane system and maximum practical size and weight of fabricated members.

 

While pre-engineered buildings can be adapted to suit a wide variety of structural applications, the greatest economy will be realized when utilising standard details. An efficiently designed pre-engineered building can be lighter than the conventional steel buildings by up to 30%. Lighter weight equates to less steel and a potential price savings in structural framework.

 

A steel building is a metal structure fabricated with steel for the internal support and for exterior cladding, as opposed to steel framed buildings which generally use other materials for floors, walls, and external envelope. Steel buildings are used for a variety of purposes including storage, work spaces and living accommodation. They are classified into specific types depending on how they are used.

 

Steel provides several advantages over other building materials, such as wood:

-> Steel is a "green" product; it is structurally sound and manufactured to strict specifications and tolerances. It is also energy efficient. Any excess material is 100% recyclable.

 

-> Steel does not warp, buckle, twist or bend, and is therefore easy to modify and offers design flexibility. Steel is also easy to install.

 

-> Steel is cost effective and rarely fluctuates in price.

 

-> Steel allows for improved quality of construction and less maintenance, while offering improved safety and resistance.

 

-> With the propagation of mold and mildew in residential buildings, using steel minimizes these infestations. Mold needs moist, porous material to grow. Steel studs do not have those problems.

 

Pre-fabricated steel buildings provide a versatile building option for residential, corporate, municipal and agricultural structures. Whether your structural requirements are large or small, the wide selection of metal panel profiles and colors available today will ensure your building is constructed according to your needs, stand up to the weather and elements (even a natural disaster!) and resist corrosion for affordable longevity.

 

Use the information in our two-part guide as a starting point to work from as you choose the right metal roofing and panels for your next project.

 

A steel building is a metal structure fabricated with steel for the internal support and for exterior cladding, as opposed to steel framed buildings which generally use other materials for floors, walls, and external envelope. Steel buildings are used for a variety of purposes including storage, work spaces and living accommodation. They are classified into specific types depending on how they are used.

 

Strength and Durability:

One of the first considerations when designing your metal building is the strength of the panels you will need. Your metal building manufacturer should discuss this with you. Do you experience high levels of humidity and/or winter moisture? Will the building be located in a particularly windy region? Are certain types of natural disasters common in this area? Answers to these questions will ensure the panels you choose can stand up to Mother Nature.

 

As you begin studying metal building components, you will start to see similar terms over and over again: profile, gauge, coating, paint type, color and ratings or certifications. Each of these measurements represents a standard set by a non-partisan, non-profit product safety testing agency called Underwriters Laboratories. This agency sets the standard for materials testing worldwide, so it’s important to be familiar with its definitions and measurements before you settle on a particular metal panel type:

 

Profile:

Panels come in many shapes and sizes. Standing seam panels often feature tall vertical clips attached with hidden clips so there are no exposed fasteners. These panels are very strong and are most commonly used on the roof. Through-fastened panels are formed with many ribs, usually between ¾” to 1¼”, and are attached to the structure with exposed fasteners. These are the two most common type of panels and can be used on both the roof and wall of a building.

 

Gauge:

Steel gauges represent the strength or thickness of the metal. The lower the gauge, the stronger the steel. For exterior construction applications, it is usually recommended that you choose materials which are 26 gauge, although buildings with high wind loads and standing seam panels may be furnished with 24 gauge materials.

 

Coating:

All panel coils have a protective layer applied to the steel base material before they are painted. This helps prevent the panels from rusting under normal atmospheric conditions or being damaged if the paint is scratched. The most common coating is GALVALUME®, a zinc-aluminum alloy coating applied evenly to both sides of the coil.

 

Paint Type:

Almost all paints for metal panels are now made from ceramic and inorganic pigments. These resist fading and chalking much better than paints made just a few years ago. One of the most common paint types is silicone-modified polyester, or SMP. This paint provides a durable finish that maintains its color and gloss for years to come. Another option is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), usually referred to as Kynar® or Trinar®. This paint works extremely well under harsher applications such as chemical plants or saltwater environments.

 

Colors:

Steel panels come in a variety of colors, usually ranging from dark brown to white. Many of these colors are ENERGY STAR®-rated and may earn points for your building towards LEED certification.

 

Ratings or Certifications:

Most panels today carry several ratings, often from different agencies. Underwriters Laboratories rates panels based on criteria like uplift for wind resistance, impact for a panel’s ability to resist hail damage or air/water infiltration during occurrences of high winds or heavy rain. Panels may also be tested and registered with FM Global to help lower a building's insurance rates or with ENERGY STAR to help buildings meet the requirements for LEED certification.