Barrier-protected container

Abstract

A blast-and projectile-impact resistant structure comprising a freight container which is at least partially clad internally and/or externally with a barrier structure comprising a single panel or a plurality of panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, the structure having means for human entry into and exit from the interior of the container located in a wall and, if necessary also in the barrier structure.

1 . A structure comprising a walled freight container enclosing an interior volume of space, the container being at least partially clad internally and/or externally with a barrier structure, the barrier structure being constructed from plurality of interconnected panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, and means for human entry into and exit from the interior space of the container being located in a wall of the container and, if necessary for such entry and exit, also in the barrier structure.  
   
   
       2 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the barrier structure is in the form of a wall.  
   
   
       3 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a freight container in the form of a six-sided box having top, bottom, side and end walls, one end wall incorporating at least one door, at least the top, side and end walls including the door (s) thereof being clad internally of the container with a barrier structure comprising a plurality of interconnected panels of matrix material incorporating reinforcement elements, the panels being fixed to the container walls, the structure being transportable as a unit.  
   
   
       4 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the panels are interconnected by discrete interconnection elements.  
   
   
       5 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the barrier structure includes panel support means for reducing the deformation of the barrier structure when subjected to a blast and/or ballistic force.  
   
   
       6 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  which includes means for anchoring the structure in the ground or clamping the structure to the ground.  
   
   
       7 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the matrix material of the panels of the barrier structure is cementitious, ceramic, metallic or resinous.  
   
   
       8 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the reinforcement elements present in the matrix material of the panels of the barrier structure comprise elongated or sheet-like main reinforcement elements and secondary compact shaped reinforcement elements distributed in the matrix material surrounding the main reinforcement.  
   
   
       9 . A structure as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the main reinforcement is selected from one or more of the following, namely rod; wire; cable; interlacings of rod and/or wire and/or cable; mesh; sheet or plate; and perforated sheet or plate materials  
   
   
       10 . A structure as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the secondary reinforcement is selected from one or more of the following, namely lumps, fibres, whiskers and flake materials  
   
   
       11 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a face of the barrier structure is clad with sheet, plate or tile elements.  
   
   
       12 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is a gap between a wall of the container and its barrier structure cladding.  
   
   
       13 . A structure as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the gap is bridged by filler material and/or by discrete connector elements interconnecting the container wall and barrier structure.  
   
   
       14 . A structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the filler material is a foam, particulate or fibrous material.  
   
   
       15 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the walls of the container are of metal, and/or wood, and/or fibre filled resin.  
   
   
       16 . A structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the container is a 6-sided box.  
   
   
       17 . A structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the barrier structure is substantially coextensive with at least one side wall of the container.  
   
   
       18 . A structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the barrier structure is substantially coextensive with all side walls of the container.  
   
   
       19 . A structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the barrier structure is substantially co-extensive with a top wall of the container.  
   
   
       20 . A structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the barrier structure is substantially co-extensive with a bottom wall of the container.  
   
   
       21 . A structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the walled container comprises an inner and an outer wall, and the barrier structure is interposed at least between the inner and outer walls.  
   
   
       22 . A collection of two or more structures as claimed in  claim 1 , positioned in a desired relationship with each other.  
   
   
       23 . A collection of structures as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least two containers abut each other.