Our Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) are designed by a specialized PEB designer or manufacturer, with a single design to be fabricated using various materials and methods, that satisfy a wide-range of structural and aesthetic requirements. These buildings are often referred to as Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs), or simply Engineered Metal Buildings (EMBs), which are becoming increasingly common due to the reduced need for pre-engineering by custom computer-aided designs.

During the 1960s, standardized engineering designs for buildings were first marketed as PEBs. Historically, the primary framing structure of PEBs is an assembly of I-shaped beams. The beams used are usually formed by welding together steel plates to form the I-section. The I-beams are then field assembled (often bolted) to form the entire frame of the building.

Other forms of primary framing can include trusses, metal sections rather than three-plated welded ones, castellated beams, etc. Typically, primary frames are 2D type frames, meaning they can be analyzed using two-dimensional techniques. Advances in computer-aided design, materials, and manufacturing capabilities have assisted in the growth of alternate forms of PEBs, such as the tension fabric building, and a more sophisticated analysis (i.e. three-dimensional) as is required by many building codes.

In order to accurately design a pre-engineered building, engineers consider: the clear span between bearing points, bay spacing, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, wind uplift, deflection criteria, internal crane system, as well as practical maximum size and weight of fabricated members. Roll-formed profiled steel sheets, wood, tensioned fabric precast concrete, masonry block, glass curtain wall, or other materials may be used for the external cladding of the building. Cold-formed C- and Z- shaped members may also be used as secondary structural elements to fasten and support the external cladding.

While pre-engineered buildings can be adapted to suit a wide variety of structural applications, the greatest economical advantage is realized when utilizing standard details. We supply efficiently designed pre-engineered buildings that can be lighter than conventional steel buildings by up to 30%. Lighter weights amount to less steel, saving you on the cost of your structural framework.