Construction system for steel-frame buildings

Abstract

A construction system for steel-frame buildings wherein steel shipping containers are used to furnish structural components of the building. A building includes a substantially horizontal deck and a plurality of substantially vertical columns, where the deck includes a base of a shipping container. A side wall of the shipping container is adapted to form a portion of the deck adjacent to the base. A plurality of shipping containers may be arranged in a stacked configuration so that the base of each container forms part of one deck in a multi-story building. The multi-story building may include an elevator contained in an elevator shaft and attached to the building; the elevator shaft is formed from a shipping container standing on an end wall thereof.

1 . A building comprising: 
 a substantially horizontal deck; and    a plurality of substantially vertical columns,    wherein the deck includes a base of a shipping container.    
     
     
         2 . A building according to  claim 1 , wherein a side wall of the shipping container is adapted to form a portion of the deck adjacent to the base.  
     
     
         3 . A building according to  claim 1 , further comprising a foundation, and wherein the columns are attached to the foundation and support the deck.  
     
     
         4 . A building according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of shipping containers, each having a base, are arranged in a stacked configuration so that each base forms part of one of a plurality of decks in a multi-story building.  
     
     
         5 . A building according to  claim 1 , further comprising an exterior wall including a structural insulated panel (SIP).  
     
     
         6 . A building according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one column is embedded in the panel.  
     
     
         7 . A building according to  claim 5 , further comprising a channel affixed to the deck for receiving the panel.  
     
     
         8 . A building according to  claim 2 , wherein the deck includes the base, two side walls and two end walls of the container, the side walls and the end walls being adapted to form portions of the deck adjacent to the base.  
     
     
         9 . A building according to  claim 4 , wherein the multi-story building includes an elevator.  
     
     
         10 . A building according to  claim 9 , wherein the elevator is contained in an elevator shaft, and the elevator shaft is formed from a shipping container standing on an end wall thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing a building, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a shipping container having a base, side walls and end walls, the side walls and end walls having hinged connections to the base;    opening the shipping container using said hinged connections so that the base, the side walls and the end walls form a substantially horizontal deck; and    attaching substantially vertical columns to the deck.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of attaching plates at corner portions of the deck, thereby forming a substantially rectangular deck.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of shipping containers so as to form a plurality of decks;    stacking the shipping containers so as to form a multi-story building.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 attaching an upper end of a column to one of the plurality of decks and a lower end of the column to another of the plurality of decks.    
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing an exterior wall including a structural insulated panel (SIP).  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one column is embedded in the panel.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising affixing a channel to the deck for receiving the panel.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the shipping container is an ISO steel container.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing an elevator for the multi-story building.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the elevator is contained in an elevator shaft, and the elevator shaft is formed by standing a shipping container on an end wall thereof.