Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) are transforming construction, redefining engineering and execution. At Everest Connect Event Panel Discussion in Ahmedabad, experts highlighted their engineering-driven advantages over material-specific categorisation.
Beyond RCC: The Shift to Pre-Engineered Solutions
Construction, once dominated by Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC), is evolving with pre-engineered, pre-fabricated, and pre-cast methods. As a panelist noted, even RCC members are now pre-cast, marking a broader transition towards fully pre-engineered solutions.
Defining Specifications: A Holistic Approach
Project specifications must align with the building's purpose and functionality, considering:
- Operation and maintenance needs
- Lifecycle duration (5, 20, or 50 years)
- Environmental factors (cyclones, coastal, chemical zones)
Structural engineers assess these before finalising design, materials, and protective measures.
Material Selection: Diverse and Customised Solutions
PEBs now offer a range of roofing and cladding options, from PPGI, PVC, and FRP sheets to screw-down systems. Selecting the right material requires evaluating purpose, timing, and suitability while considering factors like corrosion resistance, ventilation, and lighting needs.
The Art of Layout Planning in PEBs
Architects shape factory and industrial layouts but may lack insights into wind bracing, expansion joints, and ventilation, lighting, and erection challenges in PEBs. An integrative approach, where designers, engineers, and contractors collaborate, ensures optimal functionality without compromising execution feasibility.
Understanding the Distinction: Pre-Engineered vs. Prefabricated
Sricharan Vulchi, VP & Business Head, Everest Steel Building Solutions, highlighted a common misconception鈥� PEBs are not just pre-fabricated structures. He explained that while PEBs are engineered, designed, detailed, manufactured, and installed as an end-to-end solution, pre-fabrication simply involves following consultant-provided drawings without incorporating value engineering.
The discussion also brought forward an analogy: 鈥淧re-Engineered Steel Buildings鈥� vs. 鈥淧re-Engineered Buildings.鈥� Just as people associate Colgate with toothpaste, the term PEB has become synonymous with steel buildings, but it is essential to differentiate pre-engineered steel buildings from other pre-engineered solutions.
The Road Ahead: Embracing Value-Engineered PEBs
A key takeaway from the discussion was the need for more accountability in contracts. One audience member pointed out that contractors often follow designs without questioning their efficiency, leading to missed opportunities for value engineering.
As the industry advances, collaborative and informed decision-making will play a vital role in maximising PEB efficiency, optimising costs, and ensuring long-term durability. This event reinforced that PEBs are not merely a structural alternative but a holistic engineering solution that revolutionizes modern construction.
