CONTAINERS
CONTAINERS
HISTORYThe first shipping container was invented and patented in
1956 by an American named Malcolm Mc Lean. Mc Lean was not an ocean
shipper, but was a trucker and by 1956 he owned the largest
trucking fleet in the South and the fifth largest trucking company
in all the United States. He saved his money and bought his first
truck in 1934Philip clark and nicholas lacey did the first document
citing the use of shipping containers as a building material was
published in 19621994 stewart brand published a book how buildings
learn on the ideas how to convert shipping containers into office
spacesFirst completed building was the simons town high school
hostel
USESHOUSES
HOTELSOFFICE AND RETAIL SPACES
MUSEUMS
CHILDRENS CENTERS
ART`
ADVANTAGESStrength and durabilityShipping containers are in many
ways an ideal building material. They are designed to carry heavy
loads and to be stacked in high columns. They are also designed to
resist harsh environments,.Due to their high strength, containers
may be adapted for secure storage.ModularAll shipping containers
are the same width and most have two standard height and length
measurements and as such they provide modular elements that can be
combined into larger structures. This simplifies design, planning
and transport. As they are already designed to interlock for ease
of mobility during transportation, structural construction is
completed by simply emplacing them. Due to the containers' modular
design additional construction is as easy as stacking more
containers.
LaborThe welding and cutting of steel is considered to be
specialized labor and can increase construction expenses, yet
overall it is still lower than conventional construction. Unlike
wood frame construction, attachments must be welded or drilled to
the outer skin, which is more time consuming and requires different
job site equipment.TransportPre-fabricated modules can also be
easily transported by ship, truck or rail, because they already
conform to standard shipping sizes.
AvailabilityUsed shipping containers are available across the
globe.
ExpenseMany used containers are available at an amount that is
low compared to a finished structure built by other labor-intensive
means such as bricks and mortar which also require larger more
expensive foundations. FoundationsContainers are designed to be
supported by their four corners making a very simple foundation
possible. As well the top four corners are very strong as they are
intended to support a stack of other containers.Eco-FriendlyA 40ft
shipping container weights over 3,500KG. When upcycling shipping
containers, thousands of kilograms of steel are saved. In addition
when building with containers, the amount of traditional building
materials needed (i.e. bricks and cement) are reduced.
DISADVATAGEStemperatureSteel conducts heat very well; containers
used for human occupancy in an environment with extreme temperature
variations will normally have to be better insulated than most
brick, block or wood structures.Lack of FlexibilityAlthough
shipping containers can be combined together to create bigger
spaces, creating spaces different to their default size (either 20
or 40 foot) is expensive and time consuming.HumidityAs noted above,
single wall steel conducts heat. In temperate climates, moist
interior air condenses against the steel, becoming clammy. Rust
will form unless the steel is well sealed and
insulated.Construction siteThe size and weight of the containers
will, in most cases, require them to be placed by a crane or
forklift. Traditional brick, block and lumber construction
materials can often be moved by hand, even to upper stories.
Treatment of timber floorsTo meet Australian government
quarantine requirements most container floors when manufactured are
treated with insecticides containing copper (2325%), chromium
(3845%) and arsenic (3037%). Before human habitation, floors should
be removed and safely disposed. Units with steel floors would be
preferable, if available.DamageWhile in service, containers are
damaged by friction, handling collisions, and force of heavy loads
overhead during ship transits. The companies will inspect
containers and condemn them if cracked welds, twisted frames or pin
holes are found, among other faults.WeaknessesAlthough the two ends
of a container are extremely strong, the roof is not. A limit of
300kg is recommended.[1]
TYPESDRY CARGO CONTAINER20 steel dry cargo container40 steel dry
cargo container40 hi cube steel dry cargo container45 hi cube steel
dry cargo containerREFRIGERATED CONTAINER20 M.G.S.S. Refrigerated
container20 aluminum refrigerated container40 M.G.S.S. Hi cube
refrigerated container40 hi cube alumininum refrigerated
containerSPECIAL CONTAINER
DRY CARGO
foundationConcrete piers
Concrete piers are a type of shallow foundation and are one of
the simplest and cheapest routes to go.They are concrete cubes
which have reinforced steel bars within them. A reinforced steel
bar is either a steel bar or a mesh of steel wires and is used to
strengthen the concrete Advantage of this type is because the
containers are up off the ground it allows for ventilation and
prevents condensation forming underneath the container
Slab on gradeA raft foundation is more time consuming and more
expensive than a pier foundation but it is an exceptionally good
foundation to use on softer soil types Advantages are that it is
quick and easy to built also no hollow spaces in the foundation
they are less vulnerable to termite infestationDisadvantage is lack
of access to utility lines once concrete has hardened and there is
potential for heat losses where ground temperatures drop below the
interior temperature
Pile foundation
DETAILS
Typical Container Connection at End-wall Plan Detail
Typical ContainerConnection Plan Detail
Typical Exterior Container Back Wall
Typical Container Floor Section Detail
Typical Exterior Container Wall
Typical Interior Container Wall
Typical Roof Section Detail
Gracevilla container house, Australia
