Shipping Container Storage Park - Hold-Downs

[CBSE]

I got a request from a long term client asking to design hold-downs for shipping containers to be used as storage units. The building department is requiring them to have hold-downs. There are 135 units all smashed together. The contractor does not want to do any welding for hold-downs, which is what I originally suggested.

Does anyone see anything wrong with doing something like what is attached? There is a turned down footing at all egdes so embedment isn't an issue. Basically, trying to hold the containers in place with bent plates and bolts epoxied into the concrete.

 

[phamENG]

Should work in theory if you're just resisting wind overturning - not sure that would pass muster for seismic. Check AISC Table 10-13 (page 10-172 in the 14th edition) for minimum cold bend radius. You may end up with less steel to steel contact and greater eccentricities than you were expecting. You could look into actual ship tackle and see if anything specifically designed to hold these things in place could be anchored to the concrete.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Can they drive a fire truck around the outer perimeter?

I know, not your problem, but still, it looks tight.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[CBSE]

Not sure on the fire lane

 

[MikeHalloran]

On the hold-down straps; I don't recall seeing containers with the corner interface boxes protruding usefully as in the photo. ISTR the ones I see in SoFla have flush sides, so you couldn't get a nice little Z-bracket over them.

But I think the location and size of the obround holes, and the pin acceptor holes in the bottom of those corner boxes are standardized and controlled. I don't have it, but there is a standard interface drawing for containers that spells it all out.

I'd be inclined to punch a simple big angle clip with a hole or two in one leg for whatever ground anchor bolts makes you feel good, and a big hole in the other leg for a short piece of round bar that sticks well into the obround hole in the container corner, and weld the pin into the angle in the shop.

That won't work if the building dept. wants the containers pressed hard down, because the pin won't hit the bottom of the obround until the container has lifted a bit. ... unless you tolerance it so the pin is at the bottom of the obround, in which you'll get complaints about variations in the way the other leg touches the pavement or doesn't quite.

<tangent>
I feel some empathy if the AHJ is being really picky. My 10 ft square shed, with aluminum skin and wood framing, is firmly attached to my concrete patio with eight sturdy steel straps and sixteen drilled anchors. When the concrete block house blows away, those rotten floor joists will still be there.
</tangent>


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Ussuri]

This might be of some interest?

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...itxvPssIrTAhVKK8AKHaFoBScQFggnMAA&url=http://

http://www.standard-club.com/media/...-3.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE0Leh0kt3GhLfpy7dPMIE3-eJf2A

 

[Klitor]

In addition to MikeHalloran post:

 

[Ron]

Use mobile home tie-downs.....helical soil anchors with straps over the containers.

 

[bones206]

Maybe you could try using twistlocks:

https://youtu.be/M2OEpp7RwXk

 

[kingnero]

What do you use for vertical force?
The practical solution won't be a problem, but if they ask you what force your brackets (or whatever systems you opt to use) must withstand, how do you quantify that?

http://www.fusionpoint.be

http://be.linkedin.com/in/fusionpoint

 

[CBSE]

I have to make some serious assumptions about what could possibly be stored in the containers, because that could have a pretty big seismic effect.

 

[XR250]

Have you determined if there is any net uplift or overturning on the units?