What’s driving growth of PEBs in India?
The demand for Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) in India is growing rapidly, and there are a few key reasons behind this trend. First, PEBs offer a much faster construction process compared to traditional methods. This is a huge advantage for industries like warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics, where quick project completion is critical. Another major factor is cost. PEBs tend to be more economical, both in terms of upfront construction costs and long-term maintenance. This makes them an attractive option for companies looking to save on overall building expenses.Government initiatives are also playing a big role. Programs like Bharatmala (focused on road development) and Sagarmala (focused on ports) are pushing for more infrastructure, and PEBs are a perfect fit for the large-scale warehouses and facilities these projects require. The rise of industrialization and e-commerce is another driver. As more businesses expand, they need modern, efficient spaces like warehouses and factories—exactly where PEBs shine. There’s the sustainability factor. PEBs are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, which aligns well with the growing push for greener building solutions. All these factors together are making PEBs the go-to choice for construction projects across various sectors in India.
What are the challenges in PEB construction?
While Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) offer plenty of benefits, there are also a few challenges that come with them. One of the biggest hurdles is the fluctuating cost of steel. Since steel is the main material used in PEBs, fluctuations in its price can seriously impact the overall project cost. Global steel prices are always changing due to supply and demand, which makes it hard to predict costs and affects profitability.Another challenge is the shortage of skilled labor. PEB manufacturing and construction needs workers who are trained in specialized tasks like fabrication, installation, and even maintenance. Unfortunately, finding the right skilled workers, especially in some parts of India, can be tough. Without skilled labor, there’s a risk of delays, higher costs, or even compromised quality.
Transportation is another factor to consider. PEB components are fabricated off-site and then transported to the construction location. Moving these large steel pieces across long distances and hilly regions can be both costly and logistically tricky, especially in areas where infrastructure isn’t great. This adds to the overall expense of the project.
Although PEBs are durable, they still need regular upkeep, especially in areas with harsh weather conditions. Some clients worry about long-term durability or don’t fully understand the need for routine maintenance, which can make them hesitant to choose PEBs over traditional building methods.
What does post construction maintenance entail?
After construction, maintaining a Pre-Engineered Building is essential to ensure it stays in good shape and functions well over time. Here’s what post-construction maintenance generally involves: It’s important to regularly inspect the steel components. This means checking columns, beams, and joints for any signs of rust, corrosion, or damage. This is especially crucial in areas with high humidity or near the coast, where steel can corrode faster.Another key task is maintaining the paint and protective coatings. Over time, the paint or coatings on the steel may wear off, so touching up or reapplying them can help prevent corrosion and keep the building looking good. You also need to keep an eye on the roof and wall panels by regularly inspecting them for leaks, damage, or any loose panels.
It’s also important to clear out gutters and drainage systems to prevent water buildup, which can cause leaks and other issues. Checking the bolts and fasteners is another important step. Over time, things like vibrations or weather conditions can loosen the bolts that hold the structure together. Tightening them during routine checks helps maintain the building’s structural integrity.
It’s also necessary to maintain sealants and insulation, especially around windows, doors, and joints. This ensures the building stays energy-efficient and well-sealed against the weather. Don’t forget to inspect ventilation and HVAC systems. Clean the vents, louvers, and air conditioning units to ensure proper airflow and prevent moisture buildup, which could lead to rust or mold.
Pre-Engineered Building by Willus Infrastructure for Dinamic Oil India
Fact File
Client: Dinamic Oil (P) LimitedLocation: Jhajjar, Haryana
Total Area: 1,50,000 sq.ft
Architecture & PMC: ANA Design Studio
Building Highlights:
- G+3 Mezzanine floor
- 6 Mtr height Fascia
- Specialised smoke vents
- Smooth integration of glass façade
- Standing seam roof and insulated panels
- Curved eaves
- Hanging staircase
- Full height cladding with insulated panels
- Multiple utility openings
Willus Infrastructure has created an iconic PEB in Jhajjar, Haryana. With its various features, it is a perfect example of an industrial building that is designed and erected to meet all architectural requirements and functions, despite its complexities and the extraordinary features.
AP Singh
The project involved providing a complete pre-engineered steel building solution for Dinamic Oil India, an Italian company manufacturing hoisting winches and planetary gearboxes. The scope of work for Willus Infrastructure included design, manufacture, supply, project management, and erection of the pre-engineered steel building by using the highest quality of materials and proven technology. Ontime completion, aesthetically pleasing as well as a functionally superior solution coupled with economy, were the key aspects of the project.
For this challenging project, Willus Infrastructure manufactured and supplied High Performance Steel Building Systems, with a standing seam roof, a concealed fastener roofing system, along with Insulated wall panels. The building has a bold architectural form exclusively designed for Dinamic Oil India (P) Limited. The total solutions provide superior functionalities that include different working heights of cranes, a material handling area, cable trays, internal partitions, and a mezzanine floor with higher loads for process requirements keeping the strict timelines in mind.
Design Aspects
The building was complex in nature including the G+3 Mezzanine area, the specially designed hanging staircase, the multiple utility framed openings, the crane beam system, the internal partitions, etc. The building was designed by using the latest IS standard through Staad 3D model. This is a tailor-made PEB based on the client’s requirements and actual design calculations, considering all parameters and detailing aspects.The building is accurately designed, consisting of seamless and smooth joints of standing seam, curved panels, and insulated panels that do not allow an air passage, which means that it is designed as an air-conditioned building with zero air leakage.
Another design highlight of this building is the Hanging Staircase. The connections are made in such a way that even without columns this staircase has zero vibration. The connections have octagonal joints which helped to deliver this specialised staircase.
Double sided rolling shutters, smoke vents, and standing seam integration on the fixed structure, and interior-based joist detailing, are some important design aspects.
Key Challenges
This PEB involved a lot of design challenges related to the specially designed hanging staircase with octagonal joints, multiple utilities, 6-mtr wide window framed openings, smooth integration of standing seam roof, glass façade, insulated wall panels, curved eaves, and the 6-mtr high parapet fascia – all of which were addressed accurately and efficiently by the Willus Infrastructure team.However, there were n number of technicalities to work through. The team had studied the project’s intricacies thoroughly, and worked on each and every aspect, prior to designing the building. Hence, the team was able to overcome any potential design challenges early on. The installation was also done smoothly such that there is a significant reduction of the energy need for heating and cooling by using Insulated panel technology on the wall.
Roof & Wall System
The roof system is a standing seam metal roofing that comes with a concealed fix system that requires no piercing fasteners. It helps provide weather tightness and superior resistance to wind uplifts. With no exposed fasteners, the straight lines of the roof remain clean and smooth.Standing seam roof systems can be manufactured on site using mobile roll-forming technology, which not only gives single length from the ridge of the roof to the eave, but also helps to make it a leak-proof structure with better control over quality installation.
Aesthetics
The key aesthetic feature of the PEB is its 6-mtr high fascia. There is a smooth integration of the standing seam, curve panels, and insulated panels, all of which are concealed in such a way that they do not allow any air passage. The eaves are curved throughout the building, adding beauty to the building.The special glass façade has enhanced the overall aesthetic appeal of this industrial building. Special structural arrangements were made to fix the façade and get a smooth and superfine façade look.
