DYNAMIC RESPONSE ANALYSES OF MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS USING STRUCTURES AND STACKING SYSTEMS OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS

Abstract

The seismic response behavior of five-story building structures composed of shipping containers was evaluated analytically. During shipping, containers are connected to each other at their cast iron corners with unique connecting hardware. Various benefits can be obtained by applying this connecting and stacking system of shipping containers to building structures, such as rapid construction time and low cost. The nonlinear analytical models included the contact and friction behavior at the connections. Under multiple earthquake ground motions, the structural damage was found to be limited, suggesting that the use of shipping containers to create safe building structures is feasible.