Peb Shot Blasted Pre-Engineered Building

PEB: A New Technological Wave

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. Though its origin can be traced back to 1960's, its potential has been felt only during the recent years.

There is really no dispute in the fact that pre-engineered building systems are the new wave in construction.

Definition

"Pre-engineered steel buildings" are those which are fully fabricated in the factory after designing, shipped to site in CKD(completely knocked down) condition; and all components are assembled and erected at site with nut-bolts, thereby reducing the time of completion.

Pre–engineered means, generally speaking, is any part of a structure that is manufactured prior to its arrival on the building site. The concept of the pre-engineered building (PEB) is one where the fabrication is completed in a controlled environment with the latest technology, and then subsequent erection is carried out.

Though initially only off the shelf products were available in these configurations aided by the technological development tailor made solutions are also made using this technology in very short durations.

The designs were ready-made but the building components were either ready-made or manufactured against specific orders. These buildings were pre-designed or 'pre-engineered' into standard sizes, spans, bays and heights, and use standard details for fixing cladding, roofing, gutters, flashing, windows, doors etc taking advantage of industrial practices of mass production of components economically.

A healthy trend in the form of growth in demand for construction works in residential, Commercial, Institutional industrial and infrastructure sectors are being seen over the past decade. Modern Structures are much more complex and sophisticated as compared to earlier period. One of the major changes which are being felt by all is that the present structures are taller and thinner. Modern day requirement of structures is that these should be lighter yet not compromising on functionality. Civil engineering construction has seen a continual economic competition between steel, concrete and other construction materials.

The Concept: Superiority of PEB over Conventional Construction

Pre–engineered steel buildings use a combination of built-up sections, hot rolled sections and cold formed elements which provide the basic steel frame work with a choice of single skin sheeting with added insulation or insulated sandwich panels for roofing and wall cladding. The concept is designed to provide a complete building envelope system which is air tight, energy efficient, optimum in weight and cost and, above all, designed to fit user requirement like a well fitted glove.

These Pre–engineered Steel Buildings can be fitted with different structural accessories including mezzanine floors, canopies, fascias, interior partitions, crane systems etc. The building is made water-tight by use of special mastic beads, filler strips and trims. This is a very versatile building system and can be finished internally to serve any required function and accessorized externally to achieve attractive and distinctive architectural styles. It is most suitable for any low-rise building and offers numerous benefits over conventional buildings.

It is very advantageous over the conventional buildings and is really useful in case of the low rise buildings. Pre-engineered buildings are generally low rise buildings; however the maximum eave heights can go up to 25 to 30 meters. Low rise buildings are ideal for offices, houses, showrooms, shop fronts etc. The application of pre-engineered concept to low rise buildings is very economical and speedy. Buildings can be constructed in less than half the normal time especially when complimented with other engineered sub-systems. Table-1 presents an overview of comparison between RCC, Conventional steel and PEB structures.

Good structural design of the building necessitates integration of the structure into a whole physical system. It is necessary to understand the influence of structural design on the architectural design and also vice versa for the development of the subsystems for power, lighting, thermal control, ventilation, water supply, waste handling, firefighting etc. The steel structural systems have come out more popular largely because of their ability to provide flexibility in accommodating these subsystems in the building while allowing architectural forms.

Apart from the state of the art technology used for fabrication of pre-engineered buildings, the other main difference is in the assembling of PEB. The varied components of the PEB are joined to each other based on the nut and bolt methodology as against the welding and riveting methodology used for conventional steel buildings. Metal building technologies permit almost complete freedom to the designer and the architect in incorporating whatever features may be needed in the building-structural, thermal, ventilation or acoustical, to name a few.

Advantages

Erection-in-ProgressPre-engineered building systems provide real value to clients without sacrificing durability, seismic and wind resistance, or aesthetic appearance. Cost savings begin right at the drawing preparation stage. Systems engineering and fabrication methods help reduce interim financing costs through faster construction and minimised field erection expense. An added benefit is earlier occupancy of the facility and a head start on day-to-day operations by the client.

Apart from costs, there is an assurance of factory-built quality and uniformity in design and fabrication. These systems are also energy efficient; incorporate watertight roofing systems; enable easy disassembly or future expansion and have the lowest life cycle maintenance costs.

Adding to these; there is no mess of sand and cement; power savings; walkable ceilings; progressive and non-progressive panel systems for walls. A poor man can be provided with a home created under strict quality control and having a longer life span, with greater safety against natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones.

Moreover, It is possible to create the building in required form and shape. And the 'system approach' renders a holistic way of thinking at one platform for consultants, designers, architects, and builders. Thus it tends to achieve a perfect harmony among various stringent specifications and aesthetic requirements in a most economic way.