Barrier-protected container

Abstract

A blast-and projectile-impact resistant structure comprising a freight container which is at least partially clad internally and / or externally with a barrier structure comprising a single panel or a plurality of panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, the structure having means for human entry into and exit from the interior of the container located in a wall and, if necessary also in the barrier structure.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a structure, useful for storage or accommodation, comprising a freight container clad internally and / or externally with a barrier structure constructed from panels of reinforced matrix material. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] There is a need for blast and / or ballistic (i.e. projectile) impact resistant storage or accommodation structures for use in battle zones or in locations near explosive hazard sites. One known type of structure comprises a metal container which is encased in poured concrete. According to European Patent Application EP-A-0233808, the metal container encased in this way may be a standard freight container (also called a shipping container) of the kind which is familiar for being transported on the trailer of an articulated road vehicle, on a rail wagon, on the deck of a container ship, or in the hold of transport aircraft. [0003] Encasing a freight container in concrete has some drawbacks. For example, the container must be pl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an alternative type of blast and / or ballistic resistant structure which is more convenient, more reliable and lighter than concrete encased freight containers.

[0011] The barrier structure will preferably be designed to resist damaging perforation, translation, rotation and deformation under blast and / or ballistic impact forces. It may then serve to protect the interior of the container from the full extent of blast and / or ballistic impact forces applied externally to the overall structure, or to protect persons or objects outside the overall structure from the full effects of an explosion within the interior of the container. Thus, in one embodiment, the panel or panels of the barrier structure are supported by panel support means for reducing the deformation of the barrier structure in the direction of the interior of the container when the barrier structure is subjected to a force applied in that direction.

[0021] To provide additional resistance to deformation and / or perforation by blast and / or ballistic impact forces (i.e. additional to that provided by any panel support means, panel interconnection means and ground anchoring means), a face of the barrier structure facing the anticipated direction of any blast and / or ballistic force may be clad with sheet, plate or tile elements, for example of metal or ceramic materials. In most cases the purpose of the barrier structure will be to protect the interior of the container, so it will be the face or faces of the barrier structure facing away from the interior which may be clad in this way.

Problems solved by technology

For example, the container must be placed in a hole in the ground and the concrete poured into the hole, or formwork must be erected around the container to contain the poured concrete; it is often difficult to mix on site the large quantities of concrete required; the resultant encased structure is extremely heavy; poured concrete requires many days to harden to the extent necessary for blast or ballistic protection; and it may be difficult or impossible to arrange reinforcement in the concrete in optimal configuration.

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