Engineered Structures

Pre-Engineered Structures

Engineered Metal Building Systems
Metal building systems are professionally engineered structures that provide cost-effective and efficient low-rise buildings for a wide array of uses. Having evolved from the steel beam and corrugated structures of the early 20th century, these buildings are now designed to exacting specifications using computer aided design and drafting (CAD) systems. Metal building systems have evolved through the years into assemblages of structural elements that work together as a very efficient structural system. While there are many variations on the theme, the basic elements of the metal building system are constant: primary rigid frames, secondary members (wall girts and roof purlins), cladding and bracing.

All major metal building system manufacturers utilize computer tools to custom design each building system and all building components, to meet the customer’s needs and specifications. Based on the local and national building codes, each metal building system is engineered to the required dimensions and designed to meet the loading conditions with the material specified.

Today’s metal building systems also look much different than their predecessors. Metal buildings are extremely versatile, and can incorporate many different architectural finishes to provide the look required for applications such as churches, schools, shopping centers, office buildings and more.

For all of these reasons, the use of metal buildings has grown substantially since the inception of the MBMA, particularly in the past two decades. Metal buildings now constitute nearly 40 percent of the low rise new building market in the United States.They are now used regularly for traditional uses such as warehouses, distribution centers and athletic facilities. Additionally, they are being used in other applications, such as school and educational buildings, medical facilities, retail stores, shopping centers, office buildings and other types of low-rise construction.