Strengthening of multi-cell stackable shipping containers to resist wind and seismic loads

本研究的目的是调查将标准ISO（国际标准化组织）集装箱放入可堆叠单元的可行性，并确定一种经济的加固方案。ISO集装箱是专门为运输货物和产品而设计的箱形钢结构。标准集装箱长20英尺，横截面约为8英尺× 8英尺（高×宽），内部容积为32立方米，最大毛重为30× 103公斤。与传统的存储设施相比，ISO集装箱为货物和材料的存储提供了许多优势。这些优势包括成本显著降低、交通便利、场地准备成本低以及容量大大提高。然而，标准ISO集装箱基本上不是设计用于以可堆叠的形式承载负载。许多问题，如缺乏材料强度，局部屈曲和全球 当可堆叠集装箱受到地震和风力载荷时，可能发生坍塌。在这项研究中，将进行广泛的结构分析，以分析ISO集装箱的结构特性，并评估制定加强计划的可能性，该计划将ISO集装箱转变为可堆叠的集装箱化系统。研究范围仅限于标准的20英尺集装箱，将在空、半满和满的条件下分析地震和风荷载。采用有限元方法研究ISO集装箱结构的响应。预计将在可行性研究后制定一项可根据具体场地特征（如地震活动、风荷载和土壤特性）定制的加固计划。 瑞尔森大学和Storeclipse Inc.之间的这项合作研究。（工业合作伙伴公司）预计将继续作为一个长期的研究项目，通过这个NSERC参与建议。

The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of placing the standard ISO (International Standard Organization) shipping container into stackable units and to determine an economical strengthening solution for this purpose. An ISO shipping container is a box shape steel structure specially designed for transporting goods and products. The standard container is 20ft long and has a cross section of approximately 8ft×8ft (height × width), internal volume of 32m3 and carries a maximum gross weight of 30×103kg. ISO shipping containers offer many advantages for storage of goods and materials as compared to the conventional storage facilities. These include significantly lower cost, accessibility and easy transportation, low site preparation costs and considerably higher capacity. However, the standard ISO containers are essentially not designed for carrying loads in stackable form. Many issues such as lack of material strength, local buckling and global collapse may occur when the stackable container is subjected to seismic, and wind loads. An extensive structural analysis will be performed in this study to analyse the structural properties of ISO shipping containers and evaluate the possibility of developing a strengthening plan which transforms the ISO shipping container into a stackable containerized system. The scope of the study is limited to standard 20ft shipping container which will be analysed in empty, half-full and full condition subjected to seismic and wind loads. The response of ISO container structure will be studied using finite element method. A strengthening plan that can be customized according to the specific site features such as seismicity, wind load and soil property is expected to be developed following the feasibility studies. This collaborative research study between Ryerson University and Storstac Inc. (Industrial partner company) is expected to continue as a long term research project through this NSERC Engage proposal.