While not always necessary, shipping container anchors are important, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather, want to prevent theft, or need to secure the container for a specific purpose.
A common issue when shipping containers are on sites with a lot of materials handling equipment, such as forklift trucks, telehandlers, and diggers, is they being knocked accidentally or moved out of position. This can be very dangerous.
Shipping container anchor points help keep the container firmly planted on the ground and prevent movement due to wind or other forces; making it a valuable safety measure in certain situations. They can secure the base of any container structure to protect against knocks and shifting containers.
You can also use the anchor in a prone-to-flooding area to keep the container firmly planted in its position during a flood (otherwise it may just float away).
To know how to secure a shipping container to the ground, this article will explain it all. Read until the end!
The Right Time for Shipping Container Ground Anchors
A shipping container can withstand wind speeds of 180 mph without wavering. 180 mph winds are extremely destructive and categorized as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Therefore, suppose you live in a region where natural disasters like tornadoes or hurricanes can pop up from time to time, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that could impact your shipping container if the storm was bad enough.
The choice is yours, whether you’re looking to reduce the risk of storms impacting your container, or you live in a place with mild weather but simply want the reassurance that your container is secure. There are simple and efficient methods to anchor it.
How to Anchor a Shipping Container to Concrete
A shipping container is designed to withstand harsh weather, strong winds, and unpredictable waves when traveling overseas.
As a result, it is often used as storage units, tiny homes, offices, etc. Even so, it will not stand extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and strong windstorms.
To safeguard your container, here is how to anchor a shipping container:
Preparation
In this step, the first thing you need to do is choose a slightly elevated area around the container to prevent flooding, water accumulation, and soil erosion.
Then, add proper drainage to reduce the risk of water damage and flooding inside the container, which can destroy what’s inside.
Create a Solid Foundation
The foundation should evenly distribute the container’s weight and provide a stable platform.
Ensure the foundation can hold more pounds than the container’s total weight. An empty 20’ shipping container weighs around 5,000 pounds, and an empty 40’ shipping container weighs around 9,000 pounds. A solid foundation ensures your container will remain stable.
There are 3 foundation options that you can choose, they are:
- Gravel pads: A less permanent solution, offering a level surface to help with water drainage. However, they might not be as effective in areas prone to flooding.
- Concrete footings: Durable, stable, and designed to handle the container’s weight and the forces of severe weather.
- Helical piers: Suitable for softer soils and provide excellent stability against uplift forces.
Choose an Anchor Method
This is one of the most important steps in ensuring your container remains intact during a severe weather storm. Here are some common anchoring methods:
Concrete Anchors
Concrete anchors offer strong support but may require professional installation. Shipping container concrete anchors are typically used with concrete footing.
Deadman Anchors or Earth Plates
These shipping container anchors are large metal plates buried in the ground and connected to the container with cables. They distribute forces over a wider area, reducing the risk of a container moving or sliding.
Screw Anchors
Screw anchors are twisted into the ground and provide excellent stability, especially in softer soils.
Auger Anchors
When using Auger Anchors, you need to twist them into the ground at each corner of your container. They work well in moderate wind conditions and provide consistent support.
Earth Anchors
This is an effective anchoring option for your container. This anchor works by screwing it into the ground at an angle. It provides you with strong resistance against uplifting forces caused by strong winds or storm surges.
Steel Plate & Concrete Pad
Anchoring a steel storage container with a steel plate and concrete pad ensures that it stays securely in place at all times. With this technique, your container is fastened to a concrete pad foundation using a steel plate.
Twist Locks
Twist locks are easy to use and provide a strong hold on the container. Every steel shipping container has them. They work by locking two stacked shipping containers together at the corners.
They have a twisting mechanism that securely fastens them onto the container’s corner casting. To anchor a shipping container properly, you need to use four twist locks per corner for each level of stacking.
Secure Your Container
After choosing an anchoring system that matches your needs, you can start securing your container with sturdy attachment methods. Welding or bolting the container to the anchor points provides a strong connection. However, if that is not feasible, use heavy-duty cables or straps to tie the container down securely.
Maintenance & Inspection
Ensure the anchors and foundation remain in excellent condition by doing regular maintenance and inspection. In this process, check for signs of rust, corrosion, or damage to the anchors, and make repairs if needed.
With an excellent foundation and anchor condition, your container will be ready for an unexpected extreme weather event.
Strategic planning and implementation can significantly reduce the risks, increase the container’s longevity, and ensure your container’s top-notch condition after a severe weather storm.
Conclusion
During high wind conditions that are prone to tornadoes, some extra security is needed to keep the containers tied down for extra strength and security. Therefore, you should always ensure that your container is fully anchored to the ground to avoid any unfortunate event.
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