What is a Pre-Engineered Steel Building? Latest Construction Costs in 2024

Nowadays, pre-engineered steel buildings are increasingly preferred and utilized in various projects, especially in industrial facilities, due to their advantages such as lightweight structure, ease of design, durability, and rapid construction. These benefits help save construction costs and minimize project timelines, making them a viable alternative to traditional concrete buildings.

In the article below, QSB Steel will provide you with comprehensive information about pre-engineered steel buildings, including: what they are, classifications, advantages and disadvantages, applications, and more.

1. What is a Pre-Engineered Steel Building?

A pre-engineered steel building (PEB), also known as a prefabricated or pre-engineered frame building, is a structure built using three interconnected components:

• Primary structural components: Columns, beams, and bracing.
• Secondary structural components: C or Z purlins, wall top ties, and wall beams.
• Roof and wall panels: Roof sheets, wall cladding, etc.

A complete pre-engineered steel building is constructed through three main stages: design, fabrication of components, and on-site assembly.

Since all the structural elements are pre-manufactured, the assembly process is very fast. This type of structure is commonly used for projects such as warehouses, factories, supermarkets, showrooms, high-rise buildings, and commercial facilities.

2. Structure of a Pre-Engineered Steel Building

Main Structure
Similar to concrete buildings, pre-engineered steel buildings require a foundation to support the entire structure. Depending on the project, either shallow or deep foundations can be used. For large-scale projects, deep foundations are necessary to prevent overturning. In addition to the foundation, the main structure also includes essential components such as: the floor slab, bracing systems, columns, and roof trusses. These parts are crucial as they bear the entire load of the building.

Secondary Structure
The secondary components include: floors, walls, partitions, purlins, door frames, and canopy roofs. Although they are considered secondary, these parts still play an important role in the construction process and contribute to the overall stability and completion of the project.

• Enclosure and Shaping Structure

This is also a crucial part of the pre-engineered steel building, as no project can be completed without the enclosure and shaping components. These are made from materials such as roof sheets, cement board floor panels, and steel floor panels, which serve to enclose the space and protect the building from external environmental factors. In addition to their functional role, these enclosure and shaping materials also play a key role in the aesthetic appearance of the building.

Classification of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

Pre-engineered steel buildings are generally classified into four main types:

1. Residential: These buildings are used for housing and offer a variety of designs, low costs, and quick construction processes.
2. Industrial: Mainly used for warehouses, production workshops, factories, and similar facilities.
3. Commercial: Includes stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping centers, and other commercial properties.
4. Military: Used for military purposes, such as barracks and other defense-related structures.

3. Advantages, Disadvantages, and Applications of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

• Advantages:
• Material Savings: Pre-engineered steel buildings help save on auxiliary materials.
• High Load-bearing Capacity and Lightweight: Steel has good strength-to-weight ratio, reducing the load during construction.
• Fast and Simple Installation: The assembly process is quick and straightforward, and steel frames can withstand various weather conditions.
• Maximizing Space: Steel buildings maximize usable space in factories and can be easily expanded when needed.
• Cost-effective: Compared to traditional concrete buildings, pre-engineered steel structures are more affordable, saving both time and money for businesses.
• High Standardization: Pre-engineered buildings are highly standardized, ensuring uniformity in construction.

• Disadvantages:
• Poor Fire Resistance: Although steel itself is non-flammable, it becomes malleable at temperatures of 500–600°C, reducing its load-bearing capacity and making the structure more likely to collapse. In fact, steel structures can have even lower fire resistance than wood.
• Susceptibility to Corrosion in Humid Conditions: In hot and humid climates, especially in areas prone to corrosion, steel may corrode, which can damage the building.
• Relatively Lower Durability: Despite resolving many issues of traditional concrete structures, pre-engineered steel buildings generally have lower durability compared to concrete buildings.
• High Maintenance Costs: To ensure the longevity of a steel building, regular maintenance is needed to enhance its corrosion resistance and fireproofing. This can incur relatively high costs, which can limit its use in residential buildings.

Fortunately, modern technology has addressed these disadvantages:

• Corrosion Resistance: The corrosion issue can be mitigated by coating the steel with materials like zinc or aluminum, which also reduces maintenance costs.
• Fire Resistance: The fire resistance of steel can be significantly improved by covering it with fire-resistant materials such as ceramic tiles, fireproof paint, or concrete. Additionally, pre-engineered steel buildings should be equipped with fire prevention and suppression systems.

4. Applications of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

• For Industrial Projects: Pre-engineered steel buildings are ideal for projects that require quick construction while maintaining safety standards, such as manufacturing plants, industrial zones, factories, and warehouses.
• For Commercial Projects: These buildings are suitable for constructing supermarkets, office spaces, shopping centers, exhibition halls, restaurants, and exhibition centers.
• For Public Buildings: They are used for building schools, hospitals, conference centers, sports arenas, and museums.
• Other Applications: Pre-engineered steel buildings can also be used for various other projects such as farms, gas stations, container storage, and bus stations

• 5. Construction Costs for Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

• Standard Building: 1,000,000 VND – 1,200,000 VND/m²
• Industrial Factory (including walls): 1,400,000 VND/m²
• Industrial Factory (without walls): 1,200,000 VND – 1,300,000 VND/m²
• Steel Frame (including purlins, excluding roof and walls): 1,000,000 VND – 1,200,000 VND/m²

Additional Items:

• Frame and Trusses (including columns): 550,000 VND/m²
• Wall/Roof Panels: 250,000 VND/m²
• Factory Roof and Walls: 200,000 VND/m²
• Bracing System: 100,000 VND/m²
• Accessories: 100,000 VND/m²
• Windbreak Roof: 950,000 VND/m²
• Canopy: 950,000 VND/m²

Note: The prices above may vary due to the following reasons:

• Material standards based on customer requirements
• Additional costs arising during construction or assembly
• Additional items or features
• Adjustments related to the quantity of steel supplied

 See more details: Latest construction costs for pre-engineered steel buildings.

The price list for pre-engineered steel building construction is for reference only and may vary depending on the specific requirements and technical specifications of the project. To receive more accurate pricing and detailed advice about the product, please contact us or send us the detailed design files so that we can provide the most optimized price and plan. We are committed to delivering high-quality products to our customers at competitive prices with the best after-sales service.

If you are interested in pre-engineered steel building installation, please contact us immediately at our Hotline (+84) 918 23 23 65 or leave your information here. We will respond as quickly as possible with a detailed quote. We sincerely appreciate your trust and choice.