Technological improvements over the years have contributed immensely to the enhancement of quality of life through various new products and services. One such revolution is pre–engineered buildings. Though their origin can be traced back to 1960’s, their true potential is only just being realised.
An estimated 70% of all new commercial buildings in the US are pre-engineered. “Pre-engineered steel buildings” are those which are fully fabricated in the factory after designing and then shipped to site in a CKD (completely knocked down) condition; all components are then assembled and erected on site with nut and bolts, thereby reducing the time of completion.
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.
It has many benefits when cross-referenced with conventional. PEBs 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. 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.
Comparison of RCC, Conventional Steel Structures and PES Structures
| Sr. No. | Aspect of Comparison | RCC | Conventional Steel Structures | PEB Structures |
| 1 | Strength characteristics | Low as compared to Steel | High as compared to RCC | Same as conventional Steel but 15% less quantity |
| 2 | Durability | Durable but requires regular maintenance | More durability as compared to RCC | As it is lighter, durability is more than RCC and Conventional Steel |
| 3 | Speed / Ease of Construction | Higher construction time | 30% Less time as compared to RCC | 50% less time as compared to RCC |
| 4 | Architectural Flexibility | Flexible to Architectural requirements | Architectural flexibility possible with additional cots | Architectural flexibility possible with lesser costs than Conventional steel Structures |
| 5 | Quality control | Challenging as construction is done at site | Better compared to RCC. Partly done by labor partly by machines
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100% QC as most work completed at the factory |
| 6 | Future Expansion | Very difficult is not planned at the initial stages | Needs planning but can be done | Can be done even if not planned earlier |
| 7 | Foundation | Heavy and bulky foundation required | Lighter as compared to RCC | Very light due to reduced dead weight |
Fabricators erecting PEB structures are already using STRUMIS to aid in the erection of their buildings. Our online library comprising of different material grades, parts, assemblies, sub-assemblies allows STRUMIS to help the PEB industry manage their fabrication with reduced wastage, higher productivity and full traceability.
STRUMIS also provides PEB Fabricators with the facility to plan and route the multi stage fabricaton process. To see how STRUMIS can benefit your business visit www.strumis.com