Shipping Container Buttress Truss Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for constructing temporary storage facilities are limited by the volume of shipping containers, which restricts the size and flexibility of structures that can be built using these containers.
Innovation Solution
The use of standard shipping containers as outer buttress walls with attachable truss structures via a rail system, allowing for the creation of larger interior volumes and accommodating various building sizes and site variations using standardized, reusable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If shipping containers are used as the primary structure volume, then the structure is simple to construct, but the building volume is limited to container dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into two functional segments: shipping containers serve as outer buttress walls for support and enclosure, while truss structures provide the primary volume-spanning framework. This segmentation allows the building volume to exceed container dimensions while maintaining construction simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shipping containers serve multiple functions: they act as structural buttresses supporting the truss structure, provide outer enclosure walls, and offer modular standardized units that can be rapidly deployed. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the container system versatile rather than limiting it to volume constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size containers are used, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different building sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector-rail system introduces dynamic adjustability to the otherwise static container structure. Connectors can be repositioned along the rails to accommodate different building widths and configurations, enabling adaptability without requiring custom-manufactured components for each size variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail system acts as an intermediary between the fixed container units and the variable building size requirements. This intermediate element provides a standardized interface that accommodates different configurations, simplifying manufacture while achieving adaptability through the mediator rather than modifying the containers themselves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom building components are used to achieve different sizes, then building flexibility is improved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized connector and rail components serve universal functions across all building configurations. The same connector design works with different container arrangements and building sizes, eliminating the need for custom components and maintaining rapid assembly through component reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than changing the physical parameters of the components themselves, the system achieves flexibility by changing the arrangement and positioning parameters. Connectors are moved to different positions along the rails, and containers are arranged in different configurations, allowing adaptability without sacrificing assembly speed through standardized component interfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the rapid construction of temporary shelters with adjustable truss structures that can support snow and wind loads, while allowing for flexible building designs and easy assembly without specialized tools, utilizing the strength and standard dimensions of shipping containers.
Implementation Method 1
the connector provides downwardly opening clamp surfaces receiving side walls of the rails therebetween and wherein the lower ends of the clamp surfaces include holes for receiving bolts therethrough adapted to draw the clamp surfaces together beneath the rails to clamp the clamping surfaces frictionally to a rail
Data Source
AI summary
A building technique uses standard shipping containers as buttresses to support a truss system that may extend between the shipping containers to provide a roof. A sliding connector system attaches the trusses to the shipping containers to accommodate variations in separation of the shipping containers presenting a versatile framing system that is insensitive to site-related variations.