Container House Wall Structure

The wall structure of container houses typically employs a steel frame combined with composite panels. The core structure includes exterior protective steel plates, thermal insulation layers, and interior panels, which are fixed together with keels to form an integrated structure.

1. Exterior Protective Structure: Steel and Anti-Corrosion Treatment

The original shell of a container house is made of 16mm-thick weathering steel. This thin-walled steel structure offers high strength and corrosion resistance but has high thermal conductivity, necessitating the use of anti-corrosion coatings (such as hot-dip galvanizing) to extend its service life. Unmodified containers cannot be directly used as buildings and require additional structural modifications to meet thermal performance requirements.

2. Thermal Insulation Layer: Materials and Construction Methods

1. Material Selection
Common thermal insulation materials fall into two categories:

• Panel Types: Such as rock wool sandwich panels, glass wool sandwich panels, and polyurethane sandwich panels, which have fixed shapes and offer high construction efficiency;
• Foam Spray Types: Such as polyurethane foam, which is more malleable, can fill complex gaps, reduce thermal bridges, and wrap pipelines to save space.

2. Construction Methods
The thermal insulation layer is fixed to the container steel plate using keels:

• Keel Types: Wooden keels (fixed with adhesive or short steel strips) or light steel keels (welded fixed), preferably installed in the grooves of the metal corrugated plates to reduce thickness;
• Composite Construction: Combine the thermal insulation layer with the interior panel into an integrated panel (such as a metal-faced rock wool sandwich panel) to enhance industrialization and construction efficiency.

3. Interior Panels: Function and Decoration

Interior panels must meet fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and easy-to-clean requirements. Common materials include:

• Metal Panels (such as color-coated steel plates): Durable and suitable for industrial styles;
• Calcium Silicate Boards: Excellent fire resistance, can be paired with paint or wallpaper;
• Composite Thermal Insulation Gypsum Boards: Integrate thermal insulation and decoration functions, suitable for residential scenarios.

4. Connection and Sealing: Ensuring Structural Stability

When multiple containers are joined, wall connections must meet the following requirements:

• Connection Methods: Welding (permanent) or anchor bolt connections (temporary), ensuring corner fittings are aligned to transfer loads;
• Seam Filling: Use weather-resistant neoprene rubber strips or bituminous hemp fibers to seal gaps, preventing rainwater leakage and air infiltration.

5. Fire Protection and Safety Regulations

Wall structures must comply with standards such as GB50016:

• Core Material Fire Rating: EPS and other flammable materials are prohibited in crowded places; priority is given to A-grade rock wool or glass wool;
• Fire Resistance Limit: Typically required to be ≥0.5 hours, with stricter requirements for high-rise modules;
• Fire Separation: Install floor-level fire separation zones and equip with smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and other systems.