Container Houses in Hohhot

In Hohhot, container houses are architectural forms that transform standard shipping containers to meet local needs, featuring unique structural and spatial design characteristics as well as market application value.

Structure and Materials

Container houses use individual containers as basic modules, which are fixed through horizontal side-by-side or vertical stacking using welding or specialized connectors. When combining them, it is necessary to calculate the load distribution and structural stability in advance. For multi-story stacking, the foundation bearing capacity and wind load effects must be considered. In terms of material properties, the corrugated steel plate walls and steel frames form a complete load-bearing system. However, the all-metal structure faces challenges of heat conduction and winter insulation in Hohhot. Typically, a composite insulation layer is added inside the container body. The selection and thickness of the insulation material are calculated based on local winter temperature data to ensure indoor thermal stability in sub-zero temperatures. In response to the seismic design intensity in Hohhot, some companies introduce a dual-fixing mode of 'wedge-shaped locks + high-strength bolts' at the container connections. The wedge-shaped locks are made of 45# steel after heat treatment, with a slope angle of 15 degrees, which can produce a self-locking effect under horizontal shear forces. In actual tests, this joint controls displacement within 3 millimeters in a shaking table test simulating a rare magnitude-8 earthquake, which is about 40% better in deformation amplitude than conventional welded joints. Moreover, this detachable connection method facilitates repeated assembly during secondary relocation, reducing construction waste generation.

Spatial Design

The internal width of a standard container is approximately 2.35 meters. Creative design is reflected in overcoming spatial limitations, such as removing some side panels and connecting multiple containers to expand the space or utilizing the container height to create mezzanines. At the same time, considering the need for natural light, windows and door openings are created at appropriate positions on the container body, and high-performance insulated windows are installed. In addition, in response to Hohhot's dry climate and seasonal temperature differences, the exterior of the containers usually requires anti-corrosion treatment to cope with the windy and sandy environment. The roof may be given a slope to facilitate drainage or snow sliding, and the bottom structure is elevated to maintain ventilation and moisture resistance.

Market Situation

There are numerous container house brands in Hohhot, such as Yijia, Hongjie, and Zhuohan. There are also manufacturing enterprises that integrate design, production, sales, and leasing services, such as Baotou Yangda Container House Manufacturing Co., Ltd. These companies can provide a variety of container house solutions to meet different needs, including office buildings, tourist attraction housing, and new rural construction housing.