CEMP-E
TI 809-30
1 August 1998
type structures and grained wide acceptance in the Corps for warehouses, pump houses, guard houses,
and POL storage houses. In the early 1980's the metal building industry began marketing these buildings
for larger and more complicated structures including everything from corporate headquarters buildings to
aircraft hangars. Their efforts were well accepted in the commercial arena due to their significant cost
advantage. The Corps met with representatives from MBMA and several of the leading manufacturers at
their request to review the use of metal buildings in the Corps. Following this meeting, the Corps agreed
to revise their guidance and allow a broader use of these structures, but only if they were designed to the
same level of quality as current Corps custom designed buildings. (Prior to that meeting metal buildings
could only be used for utilitarian structures.) In the early 90's there were significant differences between
Corps criteria (based on National Codes herein referred to an traditional criteria), and MBMA criteria.
Differences were primarily in the magnitudes of wind loads, live loads (roof), snow loads, and building
drift. To accommodate this broader usage, the Corps developed two specifications -- Special Purpose
Metal Buildings (long span, high eave height, expensive contents) that used traditional design codes and
Standard Metal Buildings (typical spans and eave heights) that used MBMA codes. Over the years the
differences between MBMA and traditional criteria have become fewer and with the publication of the
1996 edition of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association Low Rise Buildings Systems Manual, have
become almost nonexistent. Recognizing this change, Corps' specifications were modified in 1998.
CEGS 13120, Standard Metal Building Systems, is now used for all buildings previously covered by both
of the earlier specifications.
||content||
\ text deleted /1/
||content||
\ CEGS 13121, Metal Building Systems (Minor
Requirements) is an abbreviated version of CEGS 13120 /1/ used for small, simple utilitarian type
buildings that do not require a high level of performance, do not protect expensive contents, and which
are typically selected from a catalog of available sizes.
h. Advantage. Metal Building Systems provide economical usable structures and are a good
choice if the metal building appearance is acceptable to the user. The appearance can be enhanced by
the use of other cladding materials such as precast panels and reinforced masonry, but in these cases,
the cost advantages diminish. The extensive use of computers for everything from design to fabrication
has resulted in a low cost alternative that is material efficient, quickly fabricated, and easily erected.
5. Specification Issues.
a. Quality Certification. Metal building will be the product of a recognized steel building systems
manufacturer who has been in the practice of manufacturing steel building systems for a period not less
than 5 years. The manufacturer will be chiefly engaged in the practice of designing and fabricating steel
building systems. Manufacturer's furnishing buildings under CEGS 13120 will be certified under the
American Institute of Steel Construction Metal Building Systems (MB) Certification Program, AISC FCD-
90. Structural framing and covering will be designed by a licensed Professional Engineer experienced in
design of this work. The AISC Quality Certification Program can act as a pre-qualification system for
structural steel fabricators. The purpose of the AISC Quality Certification Program is to confirm to the
construction industry that a certified structural steel fabricating plant has the personnel, organization,
experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment, capability, and commitment to produce fabricated steel
of the required quality for a steel building.
b. Building Configuration. Buildings can be furnished in virtually any size requested by the owner.
Single-space or multiple-span tapered plate beam and column designs are most prevalent. The
specification should be edited to delete any unacceptable framing choices. (The selection of a single
framing system greatly simplifies foundation design.) Drawings should clearly indicate required footprint
dimensions as well as any other critical or controlling dimensional criteria (such as minimal overhead or
sidewall working space clearances). This is especially true for shop buildings that enclose the work
space for vehicles or aircraft. Pay particular attention to clearances required to shop sidewalls where
long span rigid frame "knees" can significantly impose on the working area. Interior columns, if
compatible with building use, can significantly reduce total building frame costs.
4
Previous Page
