Steel consumption buoying demand

Thanks to the thrust on government’s Smart City Mission, green construction technology is gaining momentum. In today’s fast-paced world,pre-engineered buildings (PEBs) are one-stop solution and manufactured under controlled system in state-of-the-art plants to ensure quality and timely delivery, says Ashok R Kulkarni, Managing Director, Nikitha Build-tech Pvt Ltd.

What are the latest trends and applications in PEB with respect to smart cities?
Unlike earlier days, PEBs are not only limited to industrial and warehouse projects, but are also being used for multi-storeyed buildings in commercial and residential projects, among all other applications. Currently, PEB technology has been developing various products, which includes water proof roofing system.

How do you see the demand for PEBs this year?
Since steel consumption per capita is increasing in our country, huge demand is being created for steel buildings. Steel buildings are likely to take over conventional RCC buildings in future not only in industrial and warehousing sector, but also in commercial, residential sectors, among various infrastructure projects.

What are the benefits of PEB?
Since PEB’s are mainly formed of standard sections and connections, the design time is significantly reduced. Due to the systems approach, there is a significant saving in design, manufacturing and site erection cost. Pre-engineered buildings are about 30 per cent lighter than the conventional steel structures. Hence, the foundations are of simple design, easy to construct and lighter weights. In PEBs, components are engineered beforehand and standardised. Since all the connections of the different components are standard, the erection time is faster. Also, buildings can be erected around 90M clear spans. Buildings are supplied with high quality paint systems for cladding and steel to suit ambient conditions at site, which results in long durability and low maintenance costs.

Architectural versatility: Buildings can be supplied with various types of fascias, canopies, and curved eaves and designed to receive pre-cast concrete wall panels, curtain walls, block walls and other wall systems.

Single source responsibility: As the complete building package is supplied by a single vendor compatibility of all the building components and accessories is assured. This is one of the major benefits of the pre-engineered building systems.

Please share your outlook for the PEB market this year.
Considering the construction difficulties in commercial RCC buildings including scarcity of men and materials. PEB’s are vastly used in all segments including industrial projects, warehouses, commercial, residential and infrastructure projects. Currently there are various infrastructure projects coming up in our country including expansions of airports, roads and bridge works all over the country.

Steel buildings are likely to take over conventional RCC buildings not only in industrial and warehousing sector, but also in commercial, residential sectors.
Ashok R Kulkarni, Managing Director, Nikitha Build-tech Pvt Ltd

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