Modular Container Housing: Use of Shipping Containers for Construction Purposes






Modular Container Housing: Use of Shipping Containers for Construction Purposes

by AJINKYA ASHISH SHAH

AUGUST 2017




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1 What are Containers?
1.2 History
1.2.1 Before Containerization
1.2.2 The Need
1.2.3 Standardization
1.2.4 After Containerization
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.4 Summary of Research Methodology
1.5 Structure of Dissertation

2 Characteristics and Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Characteristics of Shipping Containers
2.2.1 Types of Shipping Containers
2.2.2 Components of Containers (Containerhandel, 2012)
2.3 Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
2.3.1 Upcycled
2.3.2 Modular Construction
2.3.3 Customizable and Compactable
2.3.4 Durable and Structurally Strong
2.3.5 Mobility
2.3.6 Affordability
2.4 Why Containers?
2.5 Embodied Energies and Co2 Emission of Concrete and Steel Structures
2.5.1 Embodied Energies
2.5.2 CO2 Emission
2.6 Conclusion

3 Consideration of barriers and Critical Factors Affecting Shipping container Conversion Process

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Technical Difficulties and Barriers Incurred While Shipping Container Conversion
3.2.1 Guarantee of Reused Shipping Containers
3.2.2 Suitability of Shipping Containers for Conversions
3.2.3 Building Codes and Permissions
3.2.4 Flexibility
3.2.5 Insulations
3.2.6 Waterproofing
3.3 Critical Factors Affecting the Use of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
3.3.1 Container Factors
3.3.1.1 Type and Size
3.3.1.2 New or Reused
3.3.2 Design Factors
3.3.2.1 Purpose
3.3.2.2 Requirements
3.3.2.3 Budget
3.3.3 Site Factors
3.3.3.1 Location
3.3.3.2 Type of Land
3.3.3.3 Surroundings
3.3.4 Technical Factors
3.3.4.1 Rules and Regulations
3.3.4.2 Mechanical Resistance and Stability
3.3.4.3 Professional Services
3.3.4.4 Transportation
3.3.5 Construction Factors
3.3.5.1 Pre Fitting Off-site
3.3.5.2 Attaching Homes to its Foundation
3.3.5.3 On-site construction
3.4 Examples
3.4.1 Boxpark Shoreditch-London
3.4.2 Container City-London
3.4.3 Common Ground Shopping Mall-Seoul
3.4.4 Mill Junction-Johannesburg, South Africa
3.4.5 KEETWONEN-Amsterdam
3.4.6 BOXPARK-Dubai
3.4.7 CitizenM Centraal Hotel-Amsterdam
3.5 Conclusion

4 Research Methodology

4.1 Introduction
4.2 What is Research Methodology?
4.3 Classification of research methodology
4.3.1 Qualitative Research
4.3.2 Quantitative Research
4.4 Data Collection Methods
4.4.1 Primary Data collection Methods
4.4.2 Secondary Data Collection Methods
4.5 Research Strategy

5 Result and Analysis

5.1 Objective 1: To identify and assist the characteristics of shipping containers
5.2 Objective 2: The sustainable approach of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.3 Objective 3: To identify the technical difficulties and barriers incurred while converting shipping containers for the use of construction
5.4 Objective 4: To identify critical factors affecting the use of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.5 Summary of the Responses

6 Conclusion

6.1 Conclusion for each Objectives
6.2 Limitations of Study
6.3 Recommendations
6.3.1 Recommendations for Future Study
6.3.2 Recommendations for Industrial Implementations

7 References

Abstract


Modular Container Housing: Use of Shipping Containers for Construction Purposes

Shipping Container Buildings are modern day Lego. Construction process is same like
Legos, block by block, one section at a time, stacking on top of one another or side by
side, leaving gaps, complete the structure. Since 1956, shipping containers have been used
mainly for cargo transport, storage and for past three decades in construction industry.
The aim of this research is to study characteristics, benefits, barriers, critical factors and
applications of shipping containers for the construction purposes. To fulfil the objectives
of this research methods like in-depth literature review and questionnaire surveys are used.
To identify the advantages & disadvantages of the shipping containers, technical
difficulties and factors affecting the conversion process of the shipping containers for
construction purposes, in-depth literature review is carried out with the help of some
databases, company websites and some online blogs. Questions for questionnaire survey
are prepared according the type, challenges and usage of shipping containers which then
forwarded to the professionals. By carefully analyzing the results of the questionnaire
survey it has been cleared that respondents have shown much more interest and are in favor
of building more and more shipping container construction facilities. This study concludes
that shipping container buildings are unique combination of strength, customization,
affordability and sustainability.


Educational Adaptation of Cargo Container Design Features





2015 ASEE Zone III Conference
Authors

Christopher M. Moore, Semih G. Yildirim, Stuart W. Baur





Introduction
1. Design criteria
1.1 Foundation
1.2 Structural system
1.3 Infill system
2. Educational adaptation
2.1 Details of design
2.2 Content of the assignment
2.3 Results of the activity
2.4 Survey
3. Conclusion
References
Biographical information


Abstract

Cargo container homes have become increasingly popular around the world in the last 30 years. Because cargo containers are modular in design, they can be used to create efficient, cheap homes. Repurposing cargo containers into homes is a sustainable construction practice due to the majority of the structure coming from recycled materials. Many design parameters of cargo container homes parallel those of standard home construction methodologies (cold formed steel framing/light wood framing) and from a structural standpoint, cargo containers are an effective building material. This paper aims to discuss the design parameters of cargo container home construction and an educational application of the concept. Problem-based learning (PBL) methodology was applied in order to create a discussion group. Building types were handed-out, scaled model and poster presentation were prepared by teams according to defined design parameters. Educational activity is evaluated by survey and critical points are determined to improve.


Exploration and Analysis of Shipping Container Architectural Adaptability Design in Central Jiangxi Province






Exploration and Analysis of Shipping Container Architectural Adaptability Design in Central Jiangxi Province

2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 446 022006 https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/446/2/022006

Shenbing Xiong1, Lintao Zhou1, Jiaqi Wu1, Zhineng Tong2* and Ming Zhou2

1 Department of Architectural Engineering,Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , NanChang, JiangXi, China
2 Instructor, Department of Architectural Engineering,Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , NanChang, JiangXi, China
2* Corresponding author: Zhineng Tong, *Corresponding author’s e-mail: 601739510@qq.com

Abstract.

Containers have always been used as materials in construction projects, and have the advantages of low carbon environmental protection, quick installation, convenient transportation, low construction price, and recyclable recycling. There is a potential for development in the field of sustainable buildings and fabricated buildings. Exploring the adaptability design of this modular unit can promote the industrialization of container construction. The purpose of this project is to make an in-depth discussion and study on the functional adaptability of container architecture in central Jiangxi Province province.

Stacking Shipping Containers on Land for an Off-Axis Detector - Load-Bearing Capacity and Safety





Stacking Shipping Containers on Land for an Off-Axis Detector
J. Cooper, J. Kilmer, B. Wands
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL 60510

May 29, 2003




Introduction
Corner Post Geometry and Compressive Load-Bearing Capacity
Corner Fittings
Safety Factor for Stacking Containers on Land

Introduction

Fig. 1 shows a typical International Standards Organization (ISO) Series 1 shipping container.


Figure 1. ISO Series 1 Shipping Container

These containers are designed to make vertical contact with each other through discrete corner fittings; when stacked, all vertical force is transferred through these fittings, in turn loading the corner posts, and not the walls, of the container. The number of containers which can be stacked on each other is determined by the strength of the corner posts.

ISO Standard 1496(1) states that the corner posts of ISO Series 1 containers should be tested to a load of 86,400 kg (190,480 lbs). This is the load applied to the posts of the bottom container in an 8-on-1 stack of 24,000 kg (gross weight) containers, multiplied by a factor of 1.8. This extra factor is used to take into account “conditions aboard ship and the relative eccentricities between superimposed containers.”(1) The “conditions aboard ship” were derived from a 1964 study of maximum acceleration values under the worst sea and wind conditions.(2)

Calculating the safe stacking height for loaded containers on land requires some understanding of the corner posts, their material properties, possible failure modes, and what constitutes an adequate factor of safety.

Innovations in shaping the residential and retail buildings. Functional and pro-environmental potential of shipping containers in architecture






Innovations in shaping the residential and retail buildings. Functional and pro-environmental potential of shipping containers in architecture

2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 415 012052 https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/415/1/012052

A M Berbesz1, I M Szefer1

1 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Housing and Industrial Architecture, Interior Design, Rural and Landscape Planning and Visual Arts, W1/K6

E-mail: anna.berbesz@pwr.edu.pl, ilona.szefer@pwr.edu.pl

Abstract.

Shipping containers are currently one of the innovative trends of shaping architectural objects. They are used to build portable and permanently set in the ground residential and public buildings. Realization with the use of shipping containers appear all over the world, i.a. single- and multifamily houses in the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and France, the bus station in the Netherlands, the art gallery in Tokyo. Particularly, many realization with the use of shipping containers relate to housing environment due to ease of transport, speed of installation and assembly, shorten the construction time and pro-environmental potential. In contrary, conventional housing is responsible for ¼ forest logging area, absorbs 1/6 of fresh water resources and consumes 2/5 of liquid fuels and materials. The respect for the environment in the aspect of the global direction of shaping residential and retail buildings is particularly important. This paper focuses on pro-environmental, usably and economical aspects of architectural objects with the use of shipping containers on the example of Polish and world-wide realization.


The Study of Fire Safety for Multi-Storey Shipping Container Hotel - A Case Study in Muar PPT Hotel






The Study of Fire Safety for Multi-Storey Shipping Container Hotel: A Case Study in Muar PPT Hotel

https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/498/1/012082

2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 498 012082

Nur Amalina Hanapi1*, M. Azzamudeen Idris Shazali1, Izudinshah Abd Wahab1 and Nasrul Arif Ahmad Mahmud1

1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tun Hussesin Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Johor.

*Corresponding author: amalina@uthm.edu.my

Abstract.

Recent trends show diversified usage of container that usually intended as mobile transportation case for trading industry and now applied as building materials especially for commercial building such as hotel. However, as new material, it should comply with basic fire safety requirement which spelled out in the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) 1984. In the construction laws of a building in Malaysia, the characteristics of building must comply with the requirement and regulations before it is being approved in the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC). Thus, this study is focusing on the container materials and its compliance of fire safety requirements and strategies for multi-storey container hotel building. Literature review and case study are used in order to get the information and to compare the ability of the materials and construction to comply with UBBL 1984 in terms of passive design. The results
of the evaluation show the possibilities of Multi-Storey Shipping Container Hotel to be built and used complied with passive fire safety requirement.


Feasibility of ISO shipping container as transitional shelter






Feasibility of ISO shipping container as transitional shelter - a review

Philip Chie Hui Ling et al 2019 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 620 012056

doi:10.1088/1757-899X/620/1/012056

Philip Chie Hui Ling 1, a), Cher Siang Tan 2, b), Anis Saggaff 3

1 Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru,
Malaysia
2 Forensic Engineering Centre,Institute for Smart Infrastructure and Innovative Construction, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
3 Structure and Construction Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Sriwijaya University
a) Corresponding author: philipling1993@gmail.com
b) tcsiang@utm.my

Abstract. 

The arising of natural disasters had increased the demand of post-disaster shelter. Over the past decades, concept of transitional shelter had been introduced as a better alternative compared to conventional shelter provision. ISO shipping container had become potential material as transitional shelter. However, the suitability of shipping container as transitional shelter is questionable as there is lack of previous study concern on this issue from different perspective of views. The aim of this paper is to provide a review on the feasibility of ISO shipping container as transitional shelter. The literature review was taken and the context analysis was done using “Technical, Economic, Legal, Operational, Schedule” (TELOS) framework. The strength and weakness of the shipping container as transitional shelter were summarized based on the framework and recommendations were suggested. With the recommendation done, the potential of shipping container to be used as transitional shelter can be fully exploited and become an outstanding alternative for conventional construction method.


Overview of Modular Design Strategy of the Shipping Container Architecture in Cold Regions





2017 IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 63
Authors

Zexin Sun, Hongyuan Mei and Ruixian Ni

School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 325, No .66Xidazhi St, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/63/1/012035

736087330@qq.com





1. Introduction
2. The advantages of shipping container architecture in cold regions
2.1. Prefabrication, shorten the construction duration
2.2. Recycling, save the building material
2.3. Standardization, reduce building energy consumption
2.4. Removable, adapt to diverse sites
3. Analysis of the modular design
3.1. Modular design
3.2. Modular design in architecture
4. Modular design strategy of shipping container architecture in cold regions
4.1. Classification of the modular design strategy
4.2. Combinations of the modular design strategy
5. Conclusion
References

Abstract.

In recent years, the shipping container architecture, as an emerging green building
mode, has grown in popularity. In this article, we analyse the advantages of applying shipping
container architecture in cold regions, such as shortening the construction cycle, saving
construction materials, reducing energy consumption and adapting to diverse sites. Then we
analyze the modular design strategy and the modular design strategy in architecture. In the end
we introduce the modular design strategy of shipping container architecture in cold regions
with the technology roadmap, classification and combination.


Using Container Structures in Architecture and Urban Design





2017 IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Volume 245
Authors

Karol Grebowski1, Daniel Kaldunek2

1 Faculty of Architecture and Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Technical University of Gdansk, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
2 Faculty of Architecture, Technical University of Gdansk, ul. Narutowicza 11/12,
80-233 Gdansk, Poland

karol.grebowski@pg.gda.pl





1. Introduction
2. History of large panel technology and its impact on current housing
3. Houses out of shipping containers
4. Shipping container modifications
5. New era of prefabricated buildings
6. Conclusions
References

Abstract.

The paper presents the use of shipping containers in architecture and urban design.
Even today, houses and apartments are still too expensive. Since 1923 architects have been
improving the living conditions of citizens by building very simple, repeatable forms. With
prefabrication technology it became possible to build quicker, causing house prices to decrease.
Apartments in block of flats became affordable to more and more people. Modernism had great
impact on the quality of living spaces, despite the detrimental effect of large panel technology
on social life. It gave people their own bathrooms, and gifted them with simple solutions we now
consider indispensable. The ambition to build cheaply but effectively is still here. The future of
housing lies in prefabricated apartment modules. A well optimized creation process is the key,
but taking into consideration the mistakes made by past generations should be the second most
important factor. Studies show that large panel buildings were too monumental and solid for a
housing structure, and offered no public spaces between them. Lack of urban design transformed
a great idea into blocks that are considered to be ugly and unfriendly. Diversity is something that
large panel structures were missing. While most block of flats were being constructed out of the
same module (Model 770), differentiated architecture was difficult to achieve. Nowadays,
increasing numbers of shipping containers are being used for housing purposes. These
constructions show that it is possible to create astonishing housing with modules. Shipping
containers were not designed to be a building material, but in contrast to large panel modules,
there are many more possibilities of their transformation. In this paper the authors propose a set
of rules that, if followed, would result in cheaper apartments, while keeping in consideration
both tremendous architecture and friendly urban design. What is more, the proposed solution is
designed to adapt to personalized requirements. In this paper the authors include information
about design guidelines for structures made from shipping containers.