What does everyone think of underground shelters? We are thinking of using shipping containers to build ours. Are they a good source to build them or is there something better?
Underground shelters
- Thread starter CharlesSibley
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if you don't mind getting your hands dirty send a PM to Brent S,think he's building a rootcellar with cinderblocks, a better option than those containers, thought my self also about those but if I ever builsd something underground it's gonna be blocks-rebar-concrete.
Would that really be stronger then shipping containers? And how versatile would it be in design you think? Also would it be cheaper?
I knew I would have to reinforce the roof but I thought that was all. I was also gonna cut the walls out of some to make bigger rooms.
earth is mighty heavy,that I have found out looking at various info,you should not only reinforce the roof but the walls also, then you have moisture to think about..honestly I think they don't build underground cellars out of cinderblocks and concrete just for fun,but 'cause it works and is more stronger in the long run, those containers are I admit a faster option.
about versatility it's limited to your imagination only I think
about versatility it's limited to your imagination only I think
Oh ok thank for all of your help
If you google on using shipping containers for underground rooms - bunkers, if you will, you will find a wealth of information, much of which will suggest that you don't use them. One thing you have to decide first, however, is how far down do you want to put them. There are TONS of differences between having a couple of feet of soil on top and putting one 10' under.
Before putting a bunker underground one has to have in place a exit strategy! If one ever seen old westerns where a member of the posse gets on the roof and covers the chimney forcing smoke back into the hideout then you have seen the weakness of an enclosed underground bunker, the ventilation system is the achilles heel, running diesel fuel or similar in the ventilation and setting it ablaze will begin to suck the oxygen out or just plugging the ventilation pipes. One person can kill everyone hunkered down in them types of bunkers without firing a shot, I would prefer to die quick taking out as many parasites as I possibly can then to die a slow death.
Danil54grl, jonette, pengyou, and maverick. Thanks to yall s help on here and the advice yall have given me to contact others on here I have decided along with my wife that shipping containers are not the way that we need to go. So it is back to the drawing board for us. Thank yall again so much for you knowledge on this. And reading back over some of my posts if I came off rude to anyone I was not meaning that in the least bit.
Containers would be great above ground, or you can go with something like this: http://doomsdayprepperforums.com/index.php?threads/pre-cut-cabins-includes-delivery.4878/
I'm planning to build a small cabin on the back of the property, probably 16'wide by 40'long. My plan is to build a basement first of the same dimension, completely below grade, with a poured roof which will be the floor of the cabin. I have been collecting materials for this for a couple years now, and hope to start in about a year. I like the idea of your house being the storm shelter.
Problems with shipping containers....
1) Expensive to move and into place (need to have special trucks, cranes, etc.) Easily costing more than the containers themselves.
2) Need reinforcing (not just roof, but walls too).
3) Need to cut (a LOT) for ventilation, etc. And this requires welding tools and expertise.
4) Limited to shapes made with containers and width of containers.
Personally, I think you'd be better off going with concrete and rebar, and a poured roof. Cheaper (in the long run), safer, and more customizable. There's a reason we currently do underground construction this way.
1) Expensive to move and into place (need to have special trucks, cranes, etc.) Easily costing more than the containers themselves.
2) Need reinforcing (not just roof, but walls too).
3) Need to cut (a LOT) for ventilation, etc. And this requires welding tools and expertise.
4) Limited to shapes made with containers and width of containers.
Personally, I think you'd be better off going with concrete and rebar, and a poured roof. Cheaper (in the long run), safer, and more customizable. There's a reason we currently do underground construction this way.
That is what I was looking into doing now. I never knew of these problems before
Placed a few more PDF's in the How To section for you CS. Also don't forget to download the ventilation stuff.
Thanks again they have been great
I wish I could post more of the shelter, but just as my shoulder got better, I had a spill on the motorcycle and broke a couple ribs. This just hasn't been a good season for me! I think my pride was hurt the most, and I did a little bit of damage to the new bike, but luckily it's nothing I can't fix. Anyways, I took the shelter and put a temporary roof over it and made it an impromptu dog house for the new dog I brought home. It's kind of a heavy duty dog house but is just fine till the ribs stop hurting so much. I was really hoping to have the roof at least formed before now, if not poured. Oh well, life has a way of slowing you down sometimes, but I guess the secret is to just keep moving forwards, even if it's slowly at times.
I think it looks amazing and Brent I hope you get better soon
Thanks, as long as I don't laugh or sneeze I'm ok!
That is mind boggling to me simply because those things can hold 50,000 pounds and can be stacked up to 8 high (maybe its 6 I don't remember for sure).
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It is designed to be stacked, not buried. Read this article and it will better explain http://graywolfsurvival.com/2625/why-you-shouldnt-bury-a-shipping-container-for-a-shtf-bunker/
It is a disaster waiting to happen
Wow so it pretty much all comes down to the horizontal pressure.
Yep, they are very strong at the corners, not very strong on the sides, pretty good on the floor and weak as piss on the roof. IIRC the spec calls for the roof to only be strong to hold 2 workmen of 120kgs each, and even then not standing next to each other. They are a lot stronger than that in general but you get the idea.
I have 3 containers and will soon buy a 4th, but we are building above ground.
I have 3 containers and will soon buy a 4th, but we are building above ground.
If you allready have one it would be worth reinforcing it, but to buy one and still have to do that is a little pricey. The blocks were alot less than a container, and stronger so that's what I went with. I'm hoping the ribs heal and I can get back to forming for the pour on the roof in a couple weeks. I will total up everything I have in my 8' x 10' shelter, but allready know it's less than a container by far.
I am very curious to see what it all totals up to. You should also try and calculate how many hours you put into it as well.
The dollars are easy to calculate, but time??? Really, I don't have too many hours in it so far, but I would work for a little bit, then come back later and do a little more. I do wish I had thought to keep track of it now that you mention it. I'll come up with the cost shortly of what I've put in it so far.
Has anyone seen plans for a root cellar/basement/store room (whatever you want to call it) that can be covered with 10 feet of earth? Part of the issue is security related but part of it is to take advantage of a pretty constant cool temperature to store foods. Refrigeration might still be necessary but would require a lot less energy because the inside temp would be pretty low to begin with. I am thinking about 14' by 20' or 30', rectangular, with a rectangular house built on top of it...but would be perpendicular to the cellar.
