How are shipping containers merged to form larger spaces?
With container homes gaining prominence because of its immense strength, affordability and portability, merging containers to add up extra spaces is becoming a common practice. Stacking up containers vertically for multistoried buildings or horizontal stacking for additional space is possible only if there is a mechanism that ensures a strong binding of the containers. Designers either open up side walls or ceilings while merging multiple containers. However, the merging poses several challenges for the builders as the containers have four protruding corners making it difficult for a smooth merging. There are several methods involved in the merging procedure. The subsequent sections describe the merging and the steps involved in detail.
What are the steps involved in merging two shipping containers?
Shipping containers are fabricated units that are shipped as modules and are joined together on site. The shipped modules are placed and aligned correctly to aid for the right merging of the containers. Joining the containers involves three methods that are decided by the requirements of the customers. The aligned and conjoined containers are then sealed to prevent water leaks in the final steps of merging. Following are the detailed processes involved in the installation of shipping containers on site.
Step1: Placing and attaching containers
As the pre-fabricated containers are shipped from the factories to the onsite, placing the containers might require the assistance of people with ropes to help guide the containers to the proper places. Aligning the containers in the foundation is a crucial step to ensure perfect merging and levelling of the whole structure. Ensure by double-checking the alignment with the help of industrial vices that helps to squeeze the containers together. If the structures are intended to be permanent buildings, then bolt and fix the bottom of the containers to the foundation piers. The protruding corner posts, however, cause hindrances, albeit the containers are perfectly aligned and squeezed together. Follow the next step that mentions three different methods of connecting two containers.
Step 2: Join containers
The next step of merging is joining two containers together. There are three methods involved in the joining of containers. They are welding, bolting and sealing.
Welding: While conjoining two shipping containers, the protruding corner posts leave a small gap between the containers. This gap is sealed and welded with a steel plate. The welding process involves the usage of heavy-duty equipment to hold the structures firmly. The welding is done all over the conjoined parts to secure the containers together. Primer paint is applied over the welded joints to seal it correctly. This joining method is perfect for permanent housing structures
Bolting: Corner casting bolts are used in the bolting method to secure the containers together. The spanner in the casting bolts adjusts the bolts while joining. This method is used predominantly in the structures that are prone to frequent dismantling and relocation.
Tying: Tying is yet another corner post conjoining method that uses heavy-duty wires to secure the corner posts together. This method is also used in temporary structures.
The Final step: Sealing
The gaps are sealed intact in the final steps of merging with roof cement or mastic tapes. But before applying the seal, ensure that the rolled metal sheets are correctly installed at every opening. Another biggest challenge involving the ceiling merging is their tendency of water accumulation at the joints. Hence, the experts recommend a raised slope and making it waterproof with water-cement and mastic asphalt. Many designers also recommend additional roofing for better waterproofing.
Read More : Common Applications Of Containers
