INDUSTRY OVERVIEW – PRE ENGINEERED BUILDINGS:
PEB is steel buildings which are uniquely designed and fabricated to end – user’s requirements in accordance with the universal standards. These buildings consist of different components which are designed in such a way that they are compatible with each other. The fabrication of these components is carried out in the factory under strict quality control as per detailed shop drawing. These components are transported to end – user’s site with proper markings and assembled at the site as per erection drawings.
PEBs provide one stop solution for all building requirements of various customers primarily for Commercial, Industrial, Residential or Institutional requirements. They provide speed in delivery and erection, flexibility in expansion and withstand severest weather conditions. These buildings are available in large multi-dimensional spans; lean to roof at all required heights and side claddings. They feature a structural steel framework of primary and secondary members (rigid frame, beams, purlins and girt, trusses and columns) on to which cladding and roofing components are attached.
Salient Features
• Use of high strength steel plates for fabrication of primary components like columns, rafters and beams lead to a light and economical structure.
• Use of tapered beam section concept leads to right amount of structural steel at right place.
• Submerged arc welded Hot Rolled Plates are used for built up sections.
• Cold formed galvanised / non – galvanised sections are used for manufacturing secondary components.
• Metal colour coated sheets and cladding are used to provide durability and aesthetic look.
• Single source responsibility of design, engineering, fabrication, supply and erection decreases time loss and rationalises costs.
• Global building standards (American, British, German) are used for providing structurally stable buildings.
• Special building components like skylights, ridge ventilators, turbo ventilators, sliding doors, windows and roof curbs can be supplied and installed.
Advantages of PEB Structures:
• Savings in time: Saving in construction time of about 30 – 50% in total project schedule due to fast delivery and quick site erection.
• Reduction in project cost: Reduction in project cost due to time saving in project implementation. This also results in earlier realization of revenue and hence increased project viability and lower risks.
• Large clear spans: Buildings can be supplied in clear spans up to 90 m, particularly suitable for aircraft hangers, sports facilities, etc.
• Faster Installation: Conventional building materials and processes are not fast and efficient. Brick and mortar construction is, by its very nature, time consuming and requires long lead- time for curing. Dry construction, however, is faster. Further, major components of the structure are delivered ‘ready to install’ at the site. This results in faster, standard, consistent quality construction with minimum skill requirements. It also provides for flexibility in relocation and redesigning. Thus, such prefabricated structures find great relevance.
• Flexibility: Buildings can be designed maintaining flexibility for future expansion in length, width and height.
• Quality control: Complete manufacturing is done in plant to ISO 9001 quality assurance standards.
• Low maintenance: High quality paint systems are available for steel and cladding to provide a long maintenance free service life.
• Energy efficiency: Buildings are supplied with roof and wall insulation to reduce energy costs and improve comfort level inside the building.
• Architectural versatility: Buildings can be supplied with special fascias, canopies, curved eaves and other architectural features required on the project.
• Single source responsibility: As the complete building steel package is supplied from a single source, end – user is assured of proper interface between all components resulting in a weather tight building with good appearance.
• Earthquake-resistant: PEBs are resistant from earth quake because of lower weight & structural building plan.
Applications:
• PES are fabricated to the end – user’s requirement in a factory and erected at site, which leads to saving of time.
• PES is ideal for Factory Buildings, Warehouses, Aircraft Hangars, where the intermediate columns need to be avoided.
• PEB is ideal for Show Rooms, Office Complexes, Airports, Exhibition Halls etc. due to its flexibility to provide aesthetics.
• PEB is ideal for buildings in City Area where land cost is too high, thanks to its less foot print area compared to RCC buildings.
• PEB is ideal for buildings that needs to be relocated to other places.
• PEB is ideal for buildings that is to be built fast.
• PEB is ideal for Residential Sectors ( Emerging demand ).
• PEB is ideal for Buildings that need to be expanded in future.
PEB Industry Evolution:
This chapter presents the overview of PEB industry at domestic and global level. It includes evolution history of the industry and overall industrial scenario for PEB market.
(i) Early 1900s-Concept of metal buildings originates in USA.
Simple industrial structures using truss rafters, straight columns, sectional roofs and wall were created. Wedge pins used for connections
(ii) 1940s –
• Mass production of Nissen and Quonset Housing and Storage modules for US Army during
World War II.
• Metal building system recognized as a favourable method of construction over conventional methods.
(iii) Late 1950s and Early 1960s-
• Computerised design allowed buildings to be tailored to individual customer requirements.
• Roll forming lines allowed continuous span cold rolled z-purlins.
• Colour coated panels and factory insulated panel improved architectural appearance.
• Major increase in design possibilities contributed to the boom in metal buildings.
• The term PEB comes into existence.
(iv) 1990s-
• PEB start dominating the low rise building market.
• Precision roll forming lines for the cladding and section members introduced.
• Automatic production lines for structural sections introduced.
• High quality paint systems for steel and cladding introduced.
• Statistics shows, about 60 % of low rise industrial and commercial buildings in USA use PEB system.