Connecting Existing Metal Building Wall Panels to new Steel Beam, which Fasteners should I use?

[Revv]

Hey Everyone,

I'm adding a new steel beam in place of the existing girt on a prefabricated metal building. Are the wall panels on these generally hot rolled or cold formed steel? I ask because I'm in between using #12 screws to connect to the new HSS beam or powder-actuated fasteners,

 

[driftLimiter]

PBU panels are generally light gauge cold formed steel. We use #12 typically for these connections. Shot pins can work as well but perhaps less practical for a vertical surface installation and there are limitations on the base metal thickness to consider.

Since its a PEMB the wall panels are mostly (almost only) resisting loads in/out of it's plane. The fasteners are primarily there to keep the panels attached when suction pressures occurs. Shot pins will suffer from pullover loads on light gauge metal decks and My guess is this will be your controlling limit.

 

[GC_Hopi]

If you use PAF you are likely to overdrive them and get oil canning on the panel. Use screws so the install can control the fastener and not over tighten it. Also PAF would be atypical in my experience for wall panels.

 

[XR250]

Might be easier to bolt a wood nailer to the beam.