Construction Process of Container House
The construction of a container house involves six main steps: design and planning, foundation construction, main structure installation, enclosure system installation, interior decoration and utility installation, and acceptance and maintenance. Details are as follows:
I. Design and Planning
Determine the functional areas of the house (such as bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, etc.) based on usage requirements, and design the container combination considering the standard container sizes (20-foot containers with a load capacity of 25T and 40-foot containers with a load capacity of 45T). Consider lighting needs and reserve window positions. If insulation is required, plan the thickness of the internal insulation layer. If multi-level stacking is involved, conduct structural mechanics calculations to ensure safety.
II. Foundation Construction
Choose between an independent foundation or a strip foundation based on site conditions. An independent foundation is suitable for soft soil foundations, elevating the container with pile foundations to prevent moisture and pests and facilitate site leveling. A strip foundation is suitable for hard ground, with concrete strip foundations directly poured to support the container frame. Foundation construction must comply with local building approval requirements, and rural homesteads must provide structural drawings and go through the approval process.
III. Main Structure Installation
Use hot-dip galvanized cold-formed steel to weld the frame, ensuring rust resistance. The chassis is welded with channel steel or square steel for crossbeams, with spacing controlled within 35 centimeters. Columns and ring beams use full-weld processes to enhance structural stability. If multi-level stacking is involved, install high-strength bolts or weld reinforcements at container connections.
IV. Enclosure System Installation
Walls and roofs use rock wool, glass wool, or polyurethane sandwich panels, balancing thermal insulation and fire resistance. The exterior facade can be painted, decorated with themed murals, or fitted with glass curtain walls to enhance aesthetics. Windows use triple-glazed units for better insulation, and doors are made of specially designed color steel plate doors. The roof panel joints require glass curtain wall waterproof sealant to ensure long-lasting waterproofing.
V. Interior Decoration and Utility Installation
Lay cement fiberboard or steel-wood composite flooring on the ground, and install metal panels or calcium silicate boards on the walls. Lighting fixtures are centrally placed, switches are located beside doors, and sockets are 60 centimeters above the ground. Air conditioning vents are placed diagonally opposite doors for easy piping. Utility pipes and wires are either pre-embedded in the factory or installed by cutting grooves on-site, followed by pressure testing and electrical insulation testing upon completion.
VI. Acceptance and Maintenance
After construction, inspect the welding quality of the structure, the tightness of the enclosure system, and the proper functioning of utilities. Regularly inspect the container's anti-corrosion coating and apply anti-rust paint every 5 years. Before the rainy season, check the condition of the roof waterproof sealant and promptly reapply it to prevent leaks.
