PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS

ADYOT A SAIGAONKAR
INTRODUCTION
 Popularly known as prefabricated (or prefab), Pre Engineered Building is a
mechanism in which the building is constructed in factory environment under
controlled conditions, with required design codes and standards, which are later
assembled on site.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PREFABRICATED SYSTEMS

1. Panelized Wood Framing

Used typically for roofs, these are long pieces of frames built from laminated timber, covered either by a
plywood or some board roof deck. Panelized frames can be up to 72 feet long, these roof panels can save
construction time and make roof construction a much safer activity.

2. Sandwich Panels
Made from 2 thin facings of materials like concrete, plywood, or stainless steel. The facings are then stuck
to an insulating core, made typically of materials like foam, paper, cloth or rubber.

3. Steel Framing
For ages, steel has been one popular and trusted building material for commercial and residential
construction. Steel framing uses this strong and durable material to create prefab panels which can be
used to construct buildings.

4. Timber Framing
Not very common in India, timber framing panels are quite popular in other countries where timber
homes are common. These framings are built in factories and then used in erecting timber homes.

5. Concrete Systems
Having concrete fragments of a prefabricated building cast in the factory provides more versatility and
also saves time. Even though architectural elements like concrete panels are heavier than other building
components, they are typically sturdier and can improve a building’s aesthetics.
6. Modular Systems
These systems use all prefab styles and
create a whole building structure typically
made from factory-constructed units. The
buildings are transported to the final
construction site and then simply
connected to a prepared foundation.
Prefabrication demands the cooperation of
architects, builders, and suppliers,
regarding the size and specification of basic
modular units.

With prefab techniques, bad weather conditions no more

hinder the construction process, in fact, it helps in reducing
waste in time and materials at the site. This technique also
ensures speedy erection of the structures.
COMPONENTS OF A PEB
• PRIMARY FRAME: PRIMARY FRAMING OF A PEB IS AN ASSEMBLY OF BUILT-UP I-SECTION
MEMBERS & THAT FRAMING CONSIST TRUSSES OR CASTELLATED
BEAMS ETC.
• SECONDARY STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS: THEY ARE THE MEMBERS, WHICH CAN BE IN Z, C
SECTIONS ETC. IN GENERAL KNOWN AS “PURLINS”.

• Roof & Wall Panels : Tin shades &

Curtain Wall made of Glass & steel
sheets usually comes in this
category.
• Cladding Panels & Other
Accessories: Mezzanine floors,
Bolts, Insulation, etc.
MAIN FRAMING RAFTER
• The main framing basically includes the rigid steel A rafter is one of a series of
sloped structural members
frames of the building. (beams) that extend from the
• The PEB rigid frame comprises tapered columns ridge or up-to-the wall-plate,
and tapered rafters (the fabricated tapered downslope perimeter or eave,
and that are designed to
sections are referred to as built-up members). The
support the roof deck and its
tapered sections are fabricated using the state of associated loads.
art technology wherein the flanges are welded to COLUMN
the web. Basically in pre-engineered
buildings columns are made
up of I sections which are
more economical than
others.
The width and breadth will go
on increasing from the
bottom to the top of the
column. I section consists of
flanges and a web which are
made from plates by welding.
 SECONDARY COMPONENTS OF THE
PRE-FAB BUILDING SYSTEM
• Purlins, Grits, and Eave struts are
secondary structural members
used as support to walls and roof
panels.
• Purlins are used on the roof, Grits
are used on the walls and Eave
struts are used at the intersection
of the sidewall and the roof.
• Secondary members act as struts
that help in resisting part of the
longitudinal loads that are
applied on the building such as
wind and earthquake loads and
provide lateral bracing to the
compression flanges of the
mainframe members for
increasing frame capacity.
  ADVANTAGES:
• Reduced construction time

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

PEB reduces total construction time of the project by at least 40%. This also allows faster occupancy and thus earlier
realization of revenue.
• Lower cost
There is a significant saving in design, manufacturing and on site erection cost. The secondary members and
cladding nest together reducing transportation cost. Steel buildings that are properly insulated save natural
resources, energy and money.
• 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.
• Low maintenance value
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 coats.
• Energy efficient roofing and wall system
Buildings can be supplied with insulated panels or fiberglass blankets insulations.
• Larger clear spans
Buildings can have up to 80M clear spans.

• Quality control
As buildings are manufactured completely in the factory under controlled conditions the quality is assured.
• Architectural versatility
Building can be supplied with various types of fascia's, canopies, and curved eaves and are designed to receive
pre cast concrete wall panels, curtain walls, block walls and other wall systems.
All the components are available in variety of finishes.
• Single source responsibility
As the complete building package is supplied by a single vendor, compatibility of all the building components and
accessories is assured.
• Sustainability
Steel is recyclable and is the most recycled material in the world.

DISADVANTAGES

• If not properly maintained it can be susceptible to

corrosion.
• Steel, although a good conducting metal, reduces the
thermal comfort of the building.
• This type of building becomes more susceptible to fire
and damage due to its conductivity.