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This question came in to me by e-mail considering shipping container structures. It is from a graduate
student that is doing research on the structural design and analysis of a shipping container building, and
he is working on doing it by FEM (Finite Element Method). Finite Element Method design is a very good
way to model complex structures and lends itself well to computer analysis. Id like to share my answer
Original Message
To: georger@runkleconsulting.com
I want to begin to thank you for taking the time for reading this email. I will try to keep short and clear.
designing the next generation of innovative student housing at xxxxxx campus. The multi-disciplinary
team has decided to design a high-performance sustainable green structure that will have a dome-mound
of dirt as a green roof and the main structural system will be composed of repurposed shipping
containers.
The reason why I am emailing you is that I was researching online about any structural analysis or finite-
element analysis that has been done for dry cargo shipping container and came across your name at this
website: (http://ronestudio.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/basic-container-design-structural-considerations/)
I wanted to kindly inquire if you know of any published information about the structural integrity of cutting
dynamic loading but all are under the assumption that the load path is from the cargo floor>C-beam floor
joist>Longitudinal C-beam>Corner fitting>Foundation (or the next lower shipping container column).
So far, roof-loading scenario of soil mound is 600lb/sq. ft. and ISO requires roof of shipping containers to
handle 300lb/sq. ft. We are looking to reduce load by using alternative fill material but are still concern
about combining 20 shipping containers and cutting entire wall out. I have found one case study of a
cabin that you advise by replacing entire wall with two 6x3x1/4x19 steel box beams welded the entire
length of the containers. I believe this cabin did not have loading scenario as much as we have.
With that said, I kindly ask if you could share any information you have regarding structural integrity of a
shipping container used as housing. I will be performing a finite-element model of our final design and I
wanted to see what information is out there before I begin. Again, thank you for your time and I look
Kind Regards,
==============================================================================
Shane,
There is no published information about container strength when they are cut up, and because there is a
huge number of configurations, a prescriptive type of guidance would not work. You have to break the
container down into its constituent parts and model it based on the sections of the parts. I use a 3d FEM
program (Bentley RAM Elements) and I have put all the parts in as sections. For the sides, I use thin
these, or draw them in AutoCAD and let it figure the modulus with the MASSPROP command.
2. Front posts these are fairly complex members made from two different size channel sections. The
moment of inertia can be found by drawing these in AutoCAD and using the MASSPROP command.
3. Bottom Rails these are C sections, again fairly easy to calculate section properties.
To get specific information on containers in the form of drawings, check out this site: http://www.isbu-
info.org/
RAM Elements will automatically find all the section properties of the sections once you program them in.
The side corrugations are pretty easy, you can use existing AISI hat sections. The other members take a
bit of work using the LEO language that comes with the program. Also, Ive found that it is necessary to
stiffen members as you make cuts in the container. That takes again more work with the LEO language
in RAM Elements to model the sections, or conversely you could calculate your section properties by
hand (not recommended, too much chance of error), or a program such as AutoCAD.
You are right, the ISO testing is not applicable in any way. It assumes the containers are not cut into, and
is only applicable for their use as cargo carriers. There is no way it can be used for building, although I
did see it used by an engineer in his calculations. In case of a failure, it would make for an interesting
lawsuit against the structural engineer, he would lose big time. I hope this helps. A copy of this e-mail is
going up on my blog, with your personal information removed, since your question is very good Id like to
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
678-225-4900 (US)