PORTAL FRAME CONSTRUCTION &

PRE ENGINEERED BUILDING SYSTEM

Prepared by

Adrian Rollo Toisa

Architect/Instructor
 INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOME (ILO)
• Describe the components of
pre-engineered buildings.
• Identify the primary and
secondary structural framing
systems.
• Apply the wall materials,
insulation, and installation of
roofing, gutter, trim and
accessories in architectural Fig. Pre-engineered Building
courtesy of SEA CON LLC
design.
• Evaluate the structural
systems of PEB to know when
to apply the system in the
building.
Background
• Steel was very expensive item in construction.
• Early 1900’s, the concept of metal building
originated in U.S.
• Simple industrial structures using truss rafters,
straight columns, sectional roof & wall. Wedge
pins for connections.
• Mass production of housing and storage modules
for U.S. army during ww2.
• Metal building system recognized as a favorable
method of construction over conventional
methods.
• Late 1950’s and early 1960’s, computerized design
allowed buildings to be tailored to individual cut.
Background
• Roll forming lines allowed continuous span cold
rolled z-purlins.
• Color coated panels and factory insulated panels
improved architectural appearance.
• Major increase in design possibilities
contributed to the boom in metal buildings.
• The term “pre-engineered building” came into
existence.
• 1990’s – present, pre-engineered buildings
dominate the low rise building market.
Definition: Portal Frame
• A construction method of building and
designing structures, primarily using
steel or steel-reinforced precast
concrete.
• Can also be constructed using laminated
lumber such as glulam.
• The connections between the columns
and rafters are designed to be moment-
resistant to carry bending forces.
• First developed in the 1960’s and now
become the most common enclosure for
spans of 20-60m.
• Designed for the following loads: roof
load and wind load. While designing care
should be taken for proper: Joints,
foundation and bracing. Fig. Our Lady of Fatima,
Filigree of propped portal
frames support the floating
ceiling.by Keith Cottier
Portal frames are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are
usually made from steel, but can also be made from concrete or
timber. The portal structure is designed in such a way that it has
no intermediate columns, as a result large open areas can easily
be created within the structure.
Portal Frames are generally used for single storey construction
which require a large unobstructed floor space ie
Factories
Shopping Centres
Warehouses
Internal view of a portal framed
warehouse

At this stage the floor is not in place.

Note the clear unobstructed floor area

available.

With single storey buildings natural lighting is

gained by placing clear sheets in roof layout.

These sheets will run from eaves to ridge at

suitable intervals.
Base joint for Portal
Frame
The legs or stanchions of the portal frame
need connecting at the bottom to a
foundation.

Here we can see the base joint

connection in place.
Ridge joint for Portal
Frame
Shown here is a ridge joint or apex
joint.

It is Important that this joint is strong

hence the use of wedge shaped pieces
called gusset pieces to strengthen and
increase the bolt area.
Knee joint for Portal
Frame

• Gusset pieces will be used to increase

strength, give greater bolt area and
prevent deflection under load.
• Again the knee joint must be strong
to support the roof loads and prevent
bending.
Diagonal bracing for
Portal Frame

With all types of frameworks we must think on stability ie

movement. To help strengthen the framework and prevent
movement diagonal bracing will be used.
Cladding rails for Portal Frame

• This slide shows the

cladding rails for
attaching the external
metal cladding panels to.
• These rails can be fixed
horizontal or vertical
depending on the way
the cladding panels are
fixed.
Tie cables for Portal
Frame

• These wire and tubular

ties are used to prevent
sagging of the cladding
rails which can add
considerable force unto
the joints of the external
cladding.
External wall detail
• Here we see the finish of
the external cladding
panels with the lower
level facing brickwork.
• The blockwork behind
creates a protective wall
or firewall.
Definition: Pre-engineered Building
(PEB)
• Pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) system is a
building enclosure system that always includes a
structural system and often includes roof and wall
cladding.
• The structural system consist of “rigid frames” that are
fabricated from steel and ‘cold formed’ into an ‘I’ shape
through a manufacturing process.
• Rigid frames consists of roof beams and columns that
are field bolted together.
• The frames can span large distances without
intermediate supporting columns.
• The frames are spaced at intervals between 15’ (4.5m)
and 60’ (18m) and can span, column free up to 300’
(90m) across a building
Definition: Pre-engineered Building (PEB)

• Primary framing: Moment resisting frames with

pinned or fixed bases.
• Secondary framing: Cold formed Z sections or C
sections for purlins or girts designed as continuous
beams spanning over rafters and columns with laps.
• Longitudinal stability: Wind load on building end
walls is transferred through roof purlins to braced
bays and carried to the foundations through diagonal
bracing.
Fig. Sample of PEB System, credits to http://www.shribalajiroofing.com/pre-engineering-building/
Pre-engineered Building (PEB) system features

• PEB System is computer assisted, design to create a

building for specific use.
• The complete building system is Pre Engineered to
facilitate easy production and assembly on site.
• Tailor made building based on the client’s
requirements and actual design calculations using
tapered sections.
• A combination of built-up section, hot rolled section,
cold formed elements and profiled sheets.
• Designing and fabrication or casting is done in
factory. Connected together in factories by welding.
Pre-engineered Building (PEB) system features

• Building components are brought to site. Fixed or

jointed at the site. All connections are bolted.
• Basically produced at the factory with high tensile
steel material by collecting complete information of
the shed or building (length, width, height, etc..) 1
• The entire design of all building components is based
on international standards and involve high technical
quality production.
Pre-engineered Building Insulation
Insulation – The main purpose of insulating a building is to
reduce the heat transfer coming through the ceilings and
openings. There are 2-kinds, the bulk and reflective insulation.
Bulk Insulation
-Rock wool
-glass wool
-loose fill cellulose
-polystyrene panels
- polyester matting
Reflective Insulation
-Foil faced blankets
-foil faced boards
-Multi-cell foil products (2 or more layers of reflective foil)
Pre-engineered Building Insulation

Polyurethane insulation – A panel manufactured by a

press injection method to produce a polyurethane
core between exterior steel facings. Can be used on
the wall and ceilings as cladding.

Fig. Sample of polyurethane foam

Fig. Sample of rolled polyurethane
foam insulation
Pre-engineered Building Insulation
Fiber Glass Insulation – This can be used on the roof or
wall and can be retrofitted on existing buildings. The
fiber glass insulation is fire safe and CFC free and
does not emit toxic smoke. It is laminated to the top
and bottom steel facings with special chemical glue,
hence, completely filling the insulation cavity.

Fig. Sample of fiberglass roof insulation

Pre-engineered Building Insulation

Sandwich Panel Insulation – Consist of two thinner

metal sheets over a rigid core. Can be used on the
roof or wall.

Fig. Sample of fiberglass roof insulation

Pre-engineered Building Insulation

Fig. Bubble wrap aluminum foil faced insulation

Fig. Rigid panel aluminum foil faced insulation

Pre-engineered Building Insulation
• Uniformly textured inorganic glass fibers bonded together by
a non-water soluble and fire retardant thermosetting resin. It
is free from coarse fibers and shot due to its mineral
composition.
• PEBI is non-toxic and not hazardous to health.
• As metal roof age they become more susceptible to corrosion,
normally beginning at the seams and spreading through out
the panel.

Fig. PEBI
Applications

Fig. Aircraft Hangars Fig. Train Station

Fig. Car Showroom/ factory Fig. Warehouse

Applications

Fig. Indoor Stadium

Fig. Office Building (on-going cons.)

Fig. School Fig. Highrise

Advantages Disadvantages
• Aesthetic appeal • Subject to corrosion
• Faster completion • It has poor resistance to fire as it
• Economical bends easily when hot.
• Seismic resistance
• Ease of expansion
• Maintenance free
• Large clear spans
• Controlled quality
• Building can be closed in and
made water tight
• Prefabrication are not affected
by weather
• Site works such as drainage,
roads etc can be carried out until
framework is ready for erection.
 Fig. Truss & column and portal frame system

Fig. Conventional Section Fig. Pre Engineered Tappered Fig. Pre Engineered Stepped
Section Section
REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_frame

http://www.ediscompany.com/what-is-a-pre-engineered-building/

http://www.kirbyinternational.com/products-services/peb/insulated-
sandwich-panels.html

Pre-Engineered Construction Analysis & Design of Portal Frame by N. Patel, &

S. Sharma

ESDEP lecture note (WG14), lecture 14.6: Special Single Storey Structures

Pre Engineered Building System by H.K. Gulati, A. Srinivas Rao & M.R. Mirza

ZAMIL STEEL Pre-Engineered Buildings

THANK YOU CREATURES!
~ART