Modular Container Housing: Use of Shipping Containers for Construction Purposes
by AJINKYA ASHISH SHAH
AUGUST 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
1. Introduction
1.1 What are Containers?
1.2 History
1.2.1 Before Containerization
1.2.2 The Need
1.2.3 Standardization
1.2.4 After Containerization
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.4 Summary of Research Methodology
1.5 Structure of Dissertation
2 Characteristics and Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Characteristics of Shipping Containers
2.2.1 Types of Shipping Containers
2.2.2 Components of Containers (Containerhandel, 2012)
2.3 Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
2.3.1 Upcycled
2.3.2 Modular Construction
2.3.3 Customizable and Compactable
2.3.4 Durable and Structurally Strong
2.3.5 Mobility
2.3.6 Affordability
2.4 Why Containers?
2.5 Embodied Energies and Co2 Emission of Concrete and Steel Structures
2.5.1 Embodied Energies
2.5.2 CO2 Emission
2.6 Conclusion
3 Consideration of barriers and Critical Factors Affecting Shipping container Conversion Process
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Technical Difficulties and Barriers Incurred While Shipping Container Conversion
3.2.1 Guarantee of Reused Shipping Containers
3.2.2 Suitability of Shipping Containers for Conversions
3.2.3 Building Codes and Permissions
3.2.4 Flexibility
3.2.5 Insulations
3.2.6 Waterproofing
3.3 Critical Factors Affecting the Use of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
3.3.1 Container Factors
3.3.1.1 Type and Size
3.3.1.2 New or Reused
3.3.2 Design Factors
3.3.2.1 Purpose
3.3.2.2 Requirements
3.3.2.3 Budget
3.3.3 Site Factors
3.3.3.1 Location
3.3.3.2 Type of Land
3.3.3.3 Surroundings
3.3.4 Technical Factors
3.3.4.1 Rules and Regulations
3.3.4.2 Mechanical Resistance and Stability
3.3.4.3 Professional Services
3.3.4.4 Transportation
3.3.5 Construction Factors
3.3.5.1 Pre Fitting Off-site
3.3.5.2 Attaching Homes to its Foundation
3.3.5.3 On-site construction
3.4 Examples
3.4.1 Boxpark Shoreditch-London
3.4.2 Container City-London
3.4.3 Common Ground Shopping Mall-Seoul
3.4.4 Mill Junction-Johannesburg, South Africa
3.4.5 KEETWONEN-Amsterdam
3.4.6 BOXPARK-Dubai
3.4.7 CitizenM Centraal Hotel-Amsterdam
3.5 Conclusion
4 Research Methodology
4.1 Introduction
4.2 What is Research Methodology?
4.3 Classification of research methodology
4.3.1 Qualitative Research
4.3.2 Quantitative Research
4.4 Data Collection Methods
4.4.1 Primary Data collection Methods
4.4.2 Secondary Data Collection Methods
4.5 Research Strategy
5 Result and Analysis
5.1 Objective 1: To identify and assist the characteristics of shipping containers
5.2 Objective 2: The sustainable approach of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.3 Objective 3: To identify the technical difficulties and barriers incurred while converting shipping containers for the use of construction
5.4 Objective 4: To identify critical factors affecting the use of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.5 Summary of the Responses
6 Conclusion
6.1 Conclusion for each Objectives
6.2 Limitations of Study
6.3 Recommendations
6.3.1 Recommendations for Future Study
6.3.2 Recommendations for Industrial Implementations
7 References
1. Introduction
1.1 What are Containers?
1.2 History
1.2.1 Before Containerization
1.2.2 The Need
1.2.3 Standardization
1.2.4 After Containerization
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.4 Summary of Research Methodology
1.5 Structure of Dissertation
2 Characteristics and Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Characteristics of Shipping Containers
2.2.1 Types of Shipping Containers
2.2.2 Components of Containers (Containerhandel, 2012)
2.3 Sustainable Approach of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
2.3.1 Upcycled
2.3.2 Modular Construction
2.3.3 Customizable and Compactable
2.3.4 Durable and Structurally Strong
2.3.5 Mobility
2.3.6 Affordability
2.4 Why Containers?
2.5 Embodied Energies and Co2 Emission of Concrete and Steel Structures
2.5.1 Embodied Energies
2.5.2 CO2 Emission
2.6 Conclusion
3 Consideration of barriers and Critical Factors Affecting Shipping container Conversion Process
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Technical Difficulties and Barriers Incurred While Shipping Container Conversion
3.2.1 Guarantee of Reused Shipping Containers
3.2.2 Suitability of Shipping Containers for Conversions
3.2.3 Building Codes and Permissions
3.2.4 Flexibility
3.2.5 Insulations
3.2.6 Waterproofing
3.3 Critical Factors Affecting the Use of Shipping Containers to Develop Construction Facilities
3.3.1 Container Factors
3.3.1.1 Type and Size
3.3.1.2 New or Reused
3.3.2 Design Factors
3.3.2.1 Purpose
3.3.2.2 Requirements
3.3.2.3 Budget
3.3.3 Site Factors
3.3.3.1 Location
3.3.3.2 Type of Land
3.3.3.3 Surroundings
3.3.4 Technical Factors
3.3.4.1 Rules and Regulations
3.3.4.2 Mechanical Resistance and Stability
3.3.4.3 Professional Services
3.3.4.4 Transportation
3.3.5 Construction Factors
3.3.5.1 Pre Fitting Off-site
3.3.5.2 Attaching Homes to its Foundation
3.3.5.3 On-site construction
3.4 Examples
3.4.1 Boxpark Shoreditch-London
3.4.2 Container City-London
3.4.3 Common Ground Shopping Mall-Seoul
3.4.4 Mill Junction-Johannesburg, South Africa
3.4.5 KEETWONEN-Amsterdam
3.4.6 BOXPARK-Dubai
3.4.7 CitizenM Centraal Hotel-Amsterdam
3.5 Conclusion
4 Research Methodology
4.1 Introduction
4.2 What is Research Methodology?
4.3 Classification of research methodology
4.3.1 Qualitative Research
4.3.2 Quantitative Research
4.4 Data Collection Methods
4.4.1 Primary Data collection Methods
4.4.2 Secondary Data Collection Methods
4.5 Research Strategy
5 Result and Analysis
5.1 Objective 1: To identify and assist the characteristics of shipping containers
5.2 Objective 2: The sustainable approach of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.3 Objective 3: To identify the technical difficulties and barriers incurred while converting shipping containers for the use of construction
5.4 Objective 4: To identify critical factors affecting the use of shipping containers to develop construction facilities
5.5 Summary of the Responses
6 Conclusion
6.1 Conclusion for each Objectives
6.2 Limitations of Study
6.3 Recommendations
6.3.1 Recommendations for Future Study
6.3.2 Recommendations for Industrial Implementations
7 References
Abstract
Modular Container Housing: Use of Shipping Containers for Construction Purposes
Shipping Container Buildings are modern day Lego. Construction process is same like
Legos, block by block, one section at a time, stacking on top of one another or side by
side, leaving gaps, complete the structure. Since 1956, shipping containers have been used
mainly for cargo transport, storage and for past three decades in construction industry.
The aim of this research is to study characteristics, benefits, barriers, critical factors and
applications of shipping containers for the construction purposes. To fulfil the objectives
of this research methods like in-depth literature review and questionnaire surveys are used.
To identify the advantages & disadvantages of the shipping containers, technical
difficulties and factors affecting the conversion process of the shipping containers for
construction purposes, in-depth literature review is carried out with the help of some
databases, company websites and some online blogs. Questions for questionnaire survey
are prepared according the type, challenges and usage of shipping containers which then
forwarded to the professionals. By carefully analyzing the results of the questionnaire
survey it has been cleared that respondents have shown much more interest and are in favor
of building more and more shipping container construction facilities. This study concludes
that shipping container buildings are unique combination of strength, customization,
affordability and sustainability.
