Thickness of Mobile Container Houses
The thickness of mobile container houses varies according to type and purpose, mainly falling into two categories: metal sheet thickness ranging from 2.0mm to 4.0mm and sandwich panel thickness ranging from 50mm to 100mm. The specific choice depends on structural components and functional requirements.
Metal Sheet Thickness: Key Parameter for Load-Bearing Structures
The main steel plate thickness of mainstream dry cargo containers typically ranges from 2.0mm to 3.0mm. This range is suitable for non-load-bearing parts such as side panels and roof panels of the container body, ensuring structural strength while controlling overall weight. However, key load-bearing parts like the base frame and corner posts, which need to withstand the weight of goods and stacking pressure, are thickened to 4.0mm or even thicker. For example, the corner fittings (components connecting corner posts to the base frame) of international standard containers often use high-strength steel with a thickness of over 5mm to ensure no deformation during multi-layer stacking or long-distance transportation.
Sandwich Panel Thickness: Function-Oriented Differentiated Design
The walls and roofs of modular mobile houses or residential containers often use sandwich panels, whose thickness directly affects insulation, sound insulation, fire resistance, and other properties. The common range is 50mm to 100mm, with the specific choice depending on the usage scenario:
- 50mm Rock Wool/Color Steel Sandwich Panels: Suitable for ordinary dormitories or temporary storage scenarios. These panels have a color steel plate as the surface layer and are filled with rock wool (with a density of about 80kg/m³) in the middle. They are cost-effective and meet basic heat insulation needs but have relatively weak sound insulation and fire resistance properties, mostly used in short-term projects.
- 75mm Insulation Panels: Used for heat preservation and cold protection scenarios. By increasing the thickness of efficient insulation materials such as polyurethane or glass wool, the thermal resistance value (R-value) can be significantly improved, suitable for areas with low winter temperatures, such as temporary offices in northern regions.
- 100mm Thickened Fire-Resistant Insulation Panels: Suitable for extremely cold regions or long-term living scenarios. These panels use high-density fire-resistant materials (such as phenolic foam). When the thickness reaches 100mm, the fire rating can reach Class A (non-combustible), and they can effectively block external noise, meeting the needs of places with high safety requirements such as hospitals and schools.
Thickening Solutions for Special Requirements
If mobile houses need to meet seismic resistance of magnitude 8 or high-level fire and corrosion resistance requirements, thickened steel structure frames (such as H-shaped steel sections with a thickness of ≥8mm) should be used in combination with high-density fire-resistant sandwich panels (with a density of ≥120kg/m³). For example, temporary medical stations in earthquake-prone areas will choose 100mm thick phenolic sandwich panels, which have a fire endurance limit of over 2 hours and enhance the overall lateral resistance of the structure through thickened steel structures.
Summary: The thickness selection of mobile container houses needs to balance structural strength, functional requirements, and cost. The thickness of metal sheets is determined by load-bearing pressure, while the thickness of sandwich panels should be comprehensively considered based on climate conditions, usage duration, and safety standards. In special scenarios, performance improvements can also be achieved through material upgrades and structural optimizations.
