Prefab Metal Building Design Help
Prefab Metal Building Design Help
(OP)
Hello all,
I have come across a bit of a unique situation and I was wondering if anyone could help me out a bit. If I am correct, prefab metal building suppliers do not design their structures according to AISC standards. I am faced with the task of designing a sizable addition to an existing prefab metal building structure. Not only is the client wanting to extend it horizontally, but vertically as well. Therefore, I need to know how prefab metal buildings are designed so I can perform an accurate analysis of the existing structure to determine what I have available to work with and what needs to be done to bring it up to current code when all said is done. As usual, any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shaylon
I have come across a bit of a unique situation and I was wondering if anyone could help me out a bit. If I am correct, prefab metal building suppliers do not design their structures according to AISC standards. I am faced with the task of designing a sizable addition to an existing prefab metal building structure. Not only is the client wanting to extend it horizontally, but vertically as well. Therefore, I need to know how prefab metal buildings are designed so I can perform an accurate analysis of the existing structure to determine what I have available to work with and what needs to be done to bring it up to current code when all said is done. As usual, any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shaylon






RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
The way PEMB suppliers get business is through the economy of their system. That economy requires them to be as lean as possible on the load side and as liberal as possible on the capacity side.
I recently did a roof eval for an old un-named PEMB supplier's roof system. The stress ratios for the original loads had almost all member stressed between 1.01 and 1.06. This was also being extremely liberal with some k-factors per one of their reps.
I was quite shocked, honestly, to see how far some engineers/companies push the envelope.
There is no way that you will be able to add axial load and moment to the columns without them being significantly overstressed.
That's not even touching on the footings.
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
You need to sit down with the client and get an understanding how far they are willing to go to complete these. I typically start with high estimates to see how serious they are. Maybe toss out a cost for re-building new frames in situ at each bayline and see how that goes over. If that does not scare them, it is a great engineering project and is totally possible. Lots of channels, plating and field welding. Most of the significant part of the cost is in the field welding, and prep work.
Brad
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
I have been searching around the web all day and everything keeps pointing me back to one website (www.mbma.com) and a manual they produce (2006 Metal Building Systems Manual). I was able to find a copy of this manual online and it did not look as if it helped with the design at all. Any input?
Thanks.
Shaylon
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
RE: Prefab Metal Building Design Help
Not sure how true it is, but just another insight how skinny skinny can be-