Do modified shipping container structures need different foundations?

In the world of modified shipping container structures, no one foundation solution is right for every application. Different container structures—ranging from large, multi-unit structures to single-unit containers—need different foundations. Want to take a closer look at all of the foundation options (and recommendations)? Let’s dive in!

What types of shipping container foundation construction work best?

The type of shipping container foundation construction that will best work for your project depends on multiple factors, including soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering, math calculations, and other technical aspects that determine specific shipping container foundation requirements in each case.

Should a shipping container be placed on the Right Foundation?

Placing a shipping container on the right foundation will keep it level on a long-term basis. If your shipping container’s weight is not evenly distributed across its corner castings, your container may shift and warp over time, leading to serious structural problems.

What is a shipping container Foundation?

In this way, they serve as defacto columns as well, helping get your container off the ground without having to use separate metal supports. Piers are the most popular shipping container foundation and the type we recommend for most people. They are relatively inexpensive, DIY friendly, and quick to construct.

How do structural engineers design a container structure?

Most structural engineers adopt a design approach using equivalent cross sections by simplifying the geometries, also sometimes by omitting the panels' contribution as structural elements. Modular Structural Consultants takes a different design approach. MSC has developed a high definition Finite Element Model (FEM) for container structure design.

Does a container structure need a foundation?

And yet in some cases, a container structure can remain level without a traditional concrete foundation. Alternative foundations, such as gravel pads, work well for many applications. In other cases, a foundation might not be needed at all, as long as people frequently monitor and relevel their container unit.