Multi-storey and high rise buildings, built of steel structure completely or on a primary level, are fairly limited in Pakistan, and may even be viewed as a relatively new concept in the construction industry but, if we take a look at the construction industry, one of the first peb engineered steel buildings , a building made from steel-frame structure, a skyscraper was the Home Insurance Building, originally 10 storeys with a height of 42 meters in Chicago, Illinois in 1885. Along with the Empire State building in New York, and many other popular landmarks of the world were built using steel structure building design decades ago.
But with the constant advancement and development in all areas of work, the construction industry also has stumbled across the concept of PEB: Pre engineered buildings, or commonly used as Pre engineered steel buildings. These buildings are steel structures built by using structural engineering concepts comprising mainly of primary members, secondary members, roof and wall sheeting, that are connected to each other and then connected with other building components. These pre-engineered steel buildings can then further be enhanced by using different structural and non-structural components such as trusses, mezzanine floors, wall lights, skylights, ridge ventilators, roof monitors, canopies, louvers, crane systems, insulation, turbo vents, doors and windows, etc. based on the customer’s requirements.
Pre engineered steel buildings can be defined by the following basic parameters or terminologies:
- Building width is the distance from the outside of one sidewall girt flange to the outside of the other sidewall girt flange. These limits are also termed steel line.
- Building Length is out to out the longitudinal distance between flanges of end wall columns or end wall girts, whichever is greater.
- Building Height can be defined in three different ways:
Clear Height is defined as the height of the building from the finish floor level to the bottom flange of the mainframe rafter. It is the minimum possible clear height throughout the building.
Eave Height of the building is the distance between the finish floor level to the top of the outer point of the eave purlin or eave strut.
Peak/Ridge Height is the distance between the finish floor level and the highest point of the building called ridgeline. - Roof Slope is the angle of the roof with respect to horizontal. Generally, a roof slope of 0.5:10 to 1.5:10 is used considering the economy and aesthetics. For bulk storage, roof slope is dependent on the angle of repose for that particular substance.
- Bay Length is the distance between two frames of a building. For the first and last bay (Exterior Bays), this distance is considered between the outside of the steel line to the centre line of the interior steel column. While for the rest of the bays (Interior Bays), it is the distance between the centerline of two consecutive steel columns.
Pre engineered Steel Buildings Structure Design and Manufacturing
To design a pre-engineered building accurately and precisely, engineers consider the clear span between bay spacing, bearing points, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, roof slope, wind uplift, internal crane system, deflection criteria, the weight of fabricated members, and maximum practical size. For designers to select for their projects, the most efficient I-beam sizes, pre-engineered building manufacturers and suppliers have developed pre-calculated tables for different structural elements. However, table selection procedures are becoming quite rare since the evolution of computer-aided custom designs. These software are relatively easy to use and result in great work efficiency.
Pre-engineered steel buildings are manufactured either by a PEB supplier or a PEB manufacturer with a single design to be made using various materials and methods to verify a wide range of structural and aesthetic design requirements. Instead of being fabricated on-site, the pre-engineered steel building components are delivered as a finalized product to the site from a single manufacturer with a basic steel framework, along with finished cladding and roofing components by the supplier. Whereas, the steel structure is erected on-site by bolting and riveting various building components together according to the specifications.
Components of Steel Structure
Pre-engineered steel buildings consist of factory-made components or members that are transported, assembled and deployed on-site to form the complete building. Some parts are manufactured in advance in the factory with heavy machinery and later on, are reassembled on the site location, which is a huge time saver.
These buildings usually consist of the following components:
| Main Frame Girders | Roof Purlins | Wall Girts | Sheeting Profiles | Insulated Sandwich Panel |
| Modular Sandwich Panels | Mezzanine System | Crane System | Accessories | Insulation |
Advantages
Pre-engineered steel structure buildings have a wide range of uses but they are ideal for non-residential and wide-span low-rise buildings. Since pre-engineered steel buildings are developed using potential design software, the ever-progressing advancement in technology allows detailing and coordination of the proposed structure, along with enabling 3D modelling that has drastically revolutionized how conventional construction works were carried out. Even though these steel buildings can be adapted to suit a wide variety of structural applications, the greatest economy comes into view when utilizing the standard details.
A pre-engineered steel building that is efficiently designed can be lighter by up to 30% than conventional steel buildings. “Analysis of Pre_Engineering Building (PEB) & Comparative Estimation with Conventional Steel Structure.” Lighter weight equates to less steel, thus a potential price saving in the structural framework, and that is why pre-engineered steel buildings have hit the construction market in a major way owing to the many benefits they possess.
Some of the noticeable advantages of pre-engineered steel buildings include:
- Economical.
- Durability.
- Longevity.
- Large Clear Spans.
- Flexibility in Design.
- Environment Friendly.
- Energy Efficient Building.
- Ease in future expansion.
- Factory controlled quality.
- Flexibility in modifications.
- Cost-effective construction.
- Reduced maintenance cost.
- Single-Source Responsibility.
- Ease in future modifications.
- Faster construction/installation.
- Unique and contemporary architecture.
- Provides an aesthetic touch to the whole design of the project.
APPLICATIONS
These buildings have a wide variety of applications expanding over various types of construction works. Below mentioned are some structures where PEBs are widely used:
- Factories
- Workshops
- Warehouses
- Wedding Halls
- Exhibition Halls
- Aircraft Hangars
- Commercial Showrooms
- Hypermarkets
- Shopping Malls
- Convention Centers
- Auditoriums
- Sports Arenas
- Labor Camps
- Cold Stores
- Vehicle Shelters
- Parking lots
- Institutional Buildings
- Dairy and Poultry Farms
- Metro Stations
SCOPE OF PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL STRUCTURE BUILDINGS
In recent times, large horizontal buildings aren’t preferably constructed, which obviously is justified if we take a look at the increase in the graph of population density, especially in metro cities, whereas on the other hand, large open and comfortable real estate is hard to find. In urban areas, lack of space due to an exponential rise in population has not only given way to taller buildings with a greater number of floors but also brings focus on the fact that the construction has to be faster. This is where the use of steel in high rise buildings comes into use.
Pre-engineered steel buildings are one of the major requirements of the fast and swift modern world, especially if we talk about the economy, quality, customer and service satisfaction. These buildings are quite flexible to suit different building dimensions and shapes. They are easily expandable; can be converted to a bigger structure in the future, can withstand harsh climatic conditions; such as windier and/or hotter climates, and come with maintenance-free exteriors; hence, a lower maintenance cost. Pre-engineered steel buildings are suitable for both, commercial and industrial operations. Pre-engineered steel buildings are becoming tremendously common due to the reduced amount of on-site engineering required in conventional construction works.
The scope of using pre-engineered steel buildings ranges from industrial buildings, low height commercial complexes, workshops, stadiums, schools, bridges, exhibition centres, showrooms, railway stations, metro applications and fuel stations to aircraft hangers.
Since the infrastructure construction across the country is combining economy, speed, strength, safety, and aesthetics at awe-inspiring levels, steel structures until now being a primary foundation element, have risen as a complete solution different in construction projects for various structural requirements. Pakistan is growing fast as an economy for pre-engineered steel buildings as it is witnessing a boom in the infrastructure sector. Structural steel buildings are covering various parameters such as finishes, environment control and life cycle with a panache derived from a product of innovation and technology advancement. In the coming 2-3 years, the construction industry is optimistic about a 15-20% yearly growth, resulting in doubling of this market over the five years.
FUTURE OF PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL BUILDINGS
Even though initially, there was a huge demand for the construction of basic infrastructure after independence, the available technology at the time and strong British legacy displayed a fascination with concrete and stone structures, which symbolized the strength of permanence and presence. But with time, the need of the hour has evolved into a need within the hour where scalability and turnaround time, have become exceedingly important for construction across both micro and macro projects for private, corporate and institutional use. The use of pre-engineered steel structures has filled this gap in need. For construction in the Pakistani environment, the new PEB cost-intensive concept has now become a widely applicable and efficient solution with hands-on benefits.
While pre-engineered steel buildings are used for diverse applications such as factories, offices, schools, hospitals, aircraft hangars, metro stations, warehouses, showrooms, supermarkets, shopping malls, community buildings and many more. They exemplify the majesty and glory of the rising global construction, technology and while they are against the practice of conventional building construction, they at the same time, have taken it to a completely different level. Around the globe, they are a frequently used concept with research showcasing that around 60% of the industrial and commercial low-rise buildings in the USA are pre-engineered; for Pakistan, the concept has been gaining momentum and the scope of growth is guaranteed looking at Pakistan’s huge infrastructural requirements. Studies already validate that Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing markets in the PEB construction segment. Even though there is still time for PEBs to be used in residual buildings in Pakistan, which doesn’t seem too far either, one can see their optimal use in warehouses, industrial sheds, sports facilities etc.
In terms of experiencing the changing trends in the Pakistani construction industry, it has been a spectacular journey for the pre-engineered building industry over the last two to three decades. There were times where pre-engineered solutions were not in much demand, but gradually with time, people are becoming more aware and inclined towards PEB construction. Also, the Pakistani construction industry has witnessed a growth trajectory since the Pakistani Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings’ market is witnessing tremendous growth due to infrastructure development, and the increased popularity and success of PEB systems in both the industrial and commercial sector. Sectors such as automotive, power, logistics, pharmacy, FMCG, and capital goods provide huge growth opportunity for PEB in Pakistan.
Steel has earned the status of a universal building product due to its versatility, durability, strength, and economic value. By using coated steel for structures, roofing and wall cladding is benefited in a variety of ways like a long service life and an aesthetic appeal which is causing its rapid use across various construction works. As a result of the metallic coating on the base steel, it provides a trouble-free performance and service life for at least 20 years or more. These steel structures have become the most efficient method to construct a building that will last for generations to come. These buildings look no different in correspondence to others and you would specifically have to be told that this one, in particular, is made out of steel. Pre-engineered steel buildings can be constructed in virtually any size and architectural style with many pleasing features and finishes. The result of this is out there for everyone to see, with numerous examples of commercial and industrial applications using pre-engineered steel.
Contact Tameerkaro for House Grey Structure Construction
For the construction of all types of industrial building facilities in Pakistan, contact an expert at Tameerkaro Construction Company. Since 1986, the company has a history of constructing industrial buildings in all Pakistan cities, especially in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and other cities of Punjab. Call at 0300-0556666 or sign up to send an inquiry online.