The document discusses the history and uses of shipping containers as building materials. It notes that shipping containers were first used for construction in the 1960s and have since been used to build houses, hotels, offices, museums, and other structures. The document then outlines several key advantages of using shipping containers in construction, such as their strength, durability, modularity, ease of transport, and availability worldwide. Some challenges of working with shipping containers as construction materials are also discussed.

2.  The 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 1934
 Philip clark and nicholas lacey did the first document citing the use of shipping
containers as a building material was published in 1962
 1994 stewart brand published a book how buildings learn on the ideas how to convert
shipping containers into office spaces
 First completed building was ‘the simons town high school hostel’

3.  HOUSES
 HOTELS
 OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACES
 MUSEUMS

4.  CHILDRENS CENTERS ART`

5. Strength and durability
Shipping 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.
Modular
All 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.

6. Labor
The 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.
Transport
Pre-fabricated modules can also be easily transported by ship, truck or rail, because they
already conform to standard shipping sizes.
Availability
Used shipping containers are available across the globe.

7. Expense
Many 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.
Foundations
Containers 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-Friendly
A 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.

8. temperature
Steel 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 Flexibility
Although 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.
Humidity
As 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 site
The 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.

9. Treatment of timber floors
To meet Australian government quarantine requirements most container floors when
manufactured are treated with insecticides containing copper (23–25%), chromium (38–
45%) and arsenic (30–37%). Before human habitation, floors should be removed and
safely disposed. Units with steel floors would be preferable, if available.
Damage
While 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.
Weaknesses
Although the two ends of a container are extremely strong, the roof is not. A limit of 300kg
is recommended.[1]

10.  DRY CARGO CONTAINER
• 20’ steel dry cargo container
• 40’ steel dry cargo container
• 40’ hi cube steel dry cargo container
• 45’ ’ hi cube steel dry cargo container
 REFRIGERATED CONTAINER
• 20’ M.G.S.S. Refrigerated container
• 20’ aluminum refrigerated container
• 40’ M.G.S.S. Hi cube refrigerated container
• 40’ hi cube alumininum refrigerated container
 SPECIAL CONTAINER

17.  Concrete 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

18.  A 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 infestation
 Disadvantage 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

19. Pile foundation

21.  Typical Container Connection at End-wall Plan Detail

22.  Typical Container Connection Plan Detail

23.  Typical Exterior Container Back Wall

24.  Typical Container Floor Section Detail

25.  Typical Exterior Container Wall

26.  Typical Interior Container Wall

27.  Typical Roof Section Detail