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Amazing
work has been done with ISO intermodal freight cargo containers, also
known as international standard building units [ISBU]. Not only are
they expressly designed for easy pre-fabrication and transportation,
but they are fire proof, very inexpensive, available across the
planet, and can also serve as the structural frame for everything from
single-family homes to seven-story mixed-use towers.
There
are five standard lengths:
20-foot,
40-foot, 45-foot, 48-foot, and 53-foot. United States domestic
standard containers are generally 48-foot and 53-foot for intermodal
rail and truck. Over 7.5 million 40-foot containers are currently
sitting in dry dock storage as waste around the world. It is possible
to purchase one of these containers for approximately $2,500 on-line.
As their predominant exporter China has determined it is less
expensive to build a new container then to have the used containers
returned. |
With
simple engineered reinforcement they can be permitted as habitable
structures. ISO containers are made of heavy 14-gauge CorTen steel
framing and have a continuous weld to keep out weather during
trans-oceanic voyages. They have a remarkable tolerance of only 3+/-
millimeters. Corner posts are designed for a 153,000 pound vertical
load. Each unit and its floor structure is built to hold 65,000 pounds
of weight when stacked up to seven units tall without seismic bracing,
so with hi-cubes this is a 85-foot 6-inch tall structure. This is
calculated based upon the empty weight of an ISBU is 10,580 pounds,
and that International Building Code calls for 40 pounds / square foot
uniform live load capacity for residential structures [(153,000 /
[10,580# + (40#/sq.ft. x 320+/- sq.ft.) = 6 units + 1 on top]. |
As
with any permanent habitable building the finished structure will be
worth the same amount per square foot as the other homes around it.
The cost of construction is about half that of a stick built
structure. Container City in London, England and Tempo Housing’s
Keetwonen dormitory in Amsterdam, Netherlands has shown the amazing
functionality and simple beauty possible with these modules. Their
stacking matrix is readily similar to many contemporary mixed-use
condominium and hotel projects in major cities around the United
States. |
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