Duanzhou Container House Structure

The structure of the Duanzhou container house is centered around a standard container frame, consisting of a main frame, wall and roof systems, flooring system, connecting and fixing structures, and door and window systems. It features modularity, standardization, and high mobility.

1. Main Frame Structure It adopts the steel frame of an international standard container, typically welded from high-strength alloy steel (such as Q345B), possessing extremely strong resistance to deformation. Standard sizes include 20-foot (6.058 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high) and 40-foot (12.192 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, and 2.591 meters high) options. The frame forms a stable rectangular structure with corner fittings, columns, and beams, capable of withstanding vertical loads and lateral wind forces. Some customized container houses enhance load-bearing capacity by thickening the steel or adding internal support beams, for example, meeting seismic requirements when used in multi-story buildings.

2. Wall and Roof Systems

• Walls: There are three main types:
  • Sandwich Panel Structure: Composed of inner and outer metal panels (such as color-coated steel sheets) with insulation materials like polyurethane, rock wool, or glass wool in between, with a thickness of 50-100 millimeters. It combines insulation, soundproofing, and fire resistance, suitable for extreme climates.
  • Cold-Formed Thin-Walled Steel Structure: Built with light steel studs as the framework, covered with OSB boards or fiber cement boards externally, and installed with gypsum boards or decorative panels internally. It is lightweight and quick to assemble but requires additional waterproofing treatment.
  • Container Original Panel Modification: Directly uses corrugated steel sheets as walls, retaining an industrial style through cut-out windows and welded reinforcements, commonly used in creative offices or commercial spaces.
• Roof: Typically designed with a 5%-15% slope for efficient drainage, with some high-end models equipped with solar panels or green vegetation to enhance environmental performance.

3. Flooring System It must meet requirements for load-bearing capacity, moisture resistance, and comfort. A 100-150 millimeter thick C20 concrete sub-base is laid for flatness; insulation is provided by 30-50 millimeter thick extruded polystyrene (XPS) or polyurethane foam boards to prevent thermal bridges; the surface layer is selected based on the usage scenario, such as PVC flooring, wooden flooring, or tiles. In humid areas, waterproof coatings or moisture barriers are applied.

4. Connecting and Fixing Structures Modularity relies on standardized connectors:

• Corner Fitting Connection: Modules are spliced using high-strength bolts or welding through the corner fittings at the four corners of the container.
• Corrugated Sheet Butt Joint: Adjacent container corrugated steel sheets are directly welded, requiring grinding and anti-rust paint application.
• Light Steel Frame Connection: An external light steel stud framework is added, with modules fixed by bolts, suitable for rapid assembly and disassembly scenarios. Overall stability is ensured through ground anchors, guy wires, or concrete foundations, with structural calculations required for high-rise or high-wind areas.

5. Door and Window and Supporting Systems Doors and windows are custom-designed to fit irregular openings, with walls commonly filled with color-coated steel sandwich panels for insulation. When paired with an electrical system, they can quickly transform into comfortable spaces.