History Of Metal Buildings

The origins of the metal building history date back nearly 100 years. Early in the 20th century, steel products companies began to appear. Their products were generally agricultural – water troughs, feed bins, grain bins, etc. These were mass-produced and traditionally of a single size. Therefore, they could be “pre-fabricated” – a ready inventory to be delivered when the customer needed it.

As time progressed, rudimentary building designs began to emerge, such as the pre-fabricated garage. Again, this was a limited product offering dimensionally, which allowed the garage to be carried in an inventory.

During World War II, a need arose for structures such as barracks and maintenance facilities that could be containerized and shipped – ready to erect. This was a perfect outlet for steel products companies. Buildings were produced that required no welding. They were bolted-up, lending themselves to simple, quick construction as the war advances and occupations unfolded.

By the end of the war, it was clear that the industry would not return to its pre-war product offerings. Metal buildings were here to stay. The post-war construction boom offered an ideal opportunity to mass produce buildings for a variety of non-residential industries. Metal building companies learned that partnerships with local contractors across a region or even the entire country were an effective way to deliver an erected building structure to the end customer.

Buildings during this time were still pre-fabricated as the marketplace adapted to the limited, set sizes that were available. However, structural engineers began to design more and more standard-size offerings to meet demand and soon pre-fabrication was no longer possible. At this time, still well before the computer age, the process came to be known as the “pre-engineered” metal buildings industry.

This configuration continued from the 1950s on into the mid-1980s. The advent of the computer to analyze and design structural members quickly has ultimately led to the modern make-to-order process that exists today. The pre-engineered system previously known is now limited to roof and wall panels and some connections design.

Today, the metal building industry boasts a capability of producing buildings for virtually any low-rise, non-residential end use. These building designs are performed quickly by industry engineers, who have vast knowledge of the building codes utilized in the United States. The custom design practice allows for economy in building design that makes metal buildings very attractive to the marketplace.

PEB – Features & Advantages

Features and Advantages

Features:

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 airtight, energy efficient, optimum in weight and cost and, above all, designed to fit user requirement like a well fitted glove.

Pre engineered steel buildings can be fitted with different structural accessories including mezzanine floors, canopies, fascias, interior partitions etc. and the building is made water proof by use of special mastic beads, filler strips and trims. This is very versatile buildings systems and can be finished internally to serve any functions and accessorized externally to achieve attractive and unique designing styles. It is very advantageous over the conventional buildings and is really helpful in the low rise building design.

Pre engineered buildings are generally low rise buildings however the maximum eave height 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 buildings concept to low raise buildings is very economical and speedy. Buildings can be constructed in less than half the normal time especially when complemented with the other engineered sub systems.

The most common and economical type of low rise buildings is a building with ground floor and two intermediate floor plus roof. The roof of low rise buildings may be flat or sloped. Intermediate floors of low rise buildings are made of mezzanine systems. Single storied houses for living take minimum time for construction and can be built in any type of geographic allocation like extreme cold hilly areas, high rain prone areas, plain land obviously and extreme hot climatic zones as well.

Advantages:

Reduction in Construction Time: Buildings are typically delivered in just a few weeks after approval of drawings. Foundation and anchor bolts are cast parallel with finished, ready for the site bolting. In India the use of PEB will reduce total construction time of the project by atleast 50%. This also allows faster occupancy and earlier realization of revenue.

Lower Cost: Due to the systems approach, there is a significant saving in design, manufacturing and on site erection cost. The secondary members and cladding nest together reducing transportation cost.

Flexibility of Expansion: Buildings can be easily expanded in length by adding additional bays. Also expansion in width and height is possible by pre designing for future expansion. Larger Spans: Buildings can be supplied to around 80M clear spans.

Quality Control: As buildings are manufactured completely in the factory under controlled conditions the quality is assured.

Low Maintenance: Buildings are supplied with high quality paint systems for cladding and steel to suit ambient conditions at the site, which results in long durability and low maintenance costs.

Energy Efficient Roofing and Wall Systems: Buildings can be supplied with polyurethane insulated panels or fiberglass blankets insulation to achieve required U values.

Architectural Versatility: Building can be supplied with various types of fascias, canopies, and curved eaves and are designed to receive pre cast concrete wall panels, curtain walls, block walls and other wall systems.

Single Source Availability: As the complete building package is supplied by a single vendor, compatibility of all the building components and accessories is assured. This is one of the major benefits of the pre engineered building systems.

Benefits of PEB:

Pre-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 minimized 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; walk able 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. In nutshell, the benefits may be summarized as under

•    Easy future expansion/modification.

•    Weather proof and fire hazards.

•    Optimized design of steel reducing weight.

•    International Quality Standards

•    Seismic & Wind pressure resistant.

•    Quality design, manufacturing and erection, saving around 30-40% of project time

•    Quick delivery and quick turn-key construction.

•    Pre-Painted and has low maintenance requirement.

•    Erection of the building is fast.

•    The building can be dismantled and relocated easily.

•    Future extensions can be easily accommodated without much hassle.

•    Increased Life cycle performance and cost competitiveness

•    Environment friendly structures

•    Better rainwater harvesting through gutters and down-take arrangements

•    Lighter weight; savings in foundation cost of 10-20 percent

•    The building can be dismantled and relocated easily

•    Easy integration of all construction materials

•    Energy efficient roof and wall system using insulations.

•    Suitability for Hilly regions and other geographically difficult areas

•    Unlimited architectural possibilities

Robin Thomas

www.excelengineering.webs.com