More Than Just Military Shelters: Quonset huts
Posted by admin on Jan 26, 2009
Quonset huts are a unique architectural phenomena, a revolutionary concept in temporary housing. Quonset huts are essentially lightweight buildings designed from galvanized iron structured with in a hemispherical cross section. The design of Quonset huts was inspired from the Nissen hut model and was made popular by the British during World War I. The Nissen hut itself had several disadvantages such as the complicated unit of corrugated steel and the insulation which was derived from the way the panels were put together, so the Government suggested improvements to make shipping and assembly easier. Quonset huts were named after the first manufacturing site, Quonset Point, Danisville, which was part of Rhode Island. The first approved design had a surface area 5 x 11 m and was constructed from hemispherical iron rods with a 2.4 m radius, and these were then covered with ribbed iron panes. The sides of the main unit was cut out to include the doors and windows in wooden ply, and the thermal protected central area had wooden flooring.
The very idea of this type of provisional housing facilities increased in use post 1941 when the US Navy needed reliable shelters for its military bases. The answer lay in constructing a lightweight shelter that could be readily shipped anywhere and did not require expert hands during assembly. The structures needed no special flooring to assemble on and could be placed as easily on the ground as on steel pilings or hard concrete floors. The interiors could be used as needed and the open area could be concerted into residential units, military offices, storage structures or even be used as barracks. Quonsets instantly provided the US troops with better comfort than did other temporary shelters such as tents with wooden platforms, which were the common structures used then.
From its application as military shelters, many other contractors began developing their own versions of the Quonset hut for other uses. From its initial deisgn, Quonset huts have seen many enhancements, and the last significant one was in 1943 when the Quonset Point manufacturing factory was taken over by the Great Lakes Steel Corporation and established as the Stran Steel Division. The variant of the Quonset huts thus developed had a more elongated design and applied the full arch corrugated pipes that was part of the intial model. Some variations of the Quonset hut structures were created to serve special needs, such as the wooden Pacific hut, and many of these did save valuable metal resources. Some had heavy steel piping and these were specifically built to serve as air raid shelters. Several larger units and multi arched Quonset huts have also been built as a response to special requests, government or civil.
Originally Quonset huts did come up to solve military requirements, but have since risen to an architectural icon. In current times, Quonset huts are receiving better recognition as a form of housing, and are an indicator of the American belief in creativity. Quonset huts are truly a one of a kind blend of practicality, and a unique mixture of the unusual and the innovative.
Steel Buildings for Commercial and Residential Purposes
Posted by admin on Jan 25, 2009
I have a friend who is currently deployed to Iraq. He will be there for over a year. He sends me frequent e mail updates and digital photos, which helps me understand a little about what his daily life is like. I assumed he would be living in a tent city like in MASH. To my surprise, they are living in these prefab steel buildings.
I was quite relieved to know he would be more protected in steel buildings than in a tent city, but I still did a little digging to find out more about these structures. I was distracted by the idea of those trucks on the highway carrying part of a house with a sign slapped to the back announcing “wide load.” I knew my friend would be living in something more substantial than that, but I needed to see for myself.
A quick search for steel buildings yielded a handful of companies that provide them for numerous purposes. The government uses a lot of these type of structures. You will see that many companies advertise their Government Services Administration approval. Commercial boat yards, farmers and auto mechanics use steel buildings for storage, service areas and retail. A structure can be chosen, shipped and erected within a very short time frame. Steel buildings require less structural beams and trusses, so they offer more usable space than traditional structures. They require little maintenance, as they have no siding or gutters.
Home owners can see the advantages of steel buildings over traditional structures too. Steel buildings are offered in various basic models. With just a few people, these steel buildings can be erected easily. The majority of the construction can be done on the ground without special tools. Decades and decades ago, my grandparents built a metal garage with the help of contractors. It felt like quite a process. Knowing my do it yourself grandparents, they would have preferred the ease of one of these new prefab steel buildings, had such things been available back then. Given that they were farmers, they would have been happy to support one of the many companies that offers buildings made from US steel and made in the US.
I am sure most people who choose steel buildings do so because they are extremely easy to maintain, fit their budget and are easy to order and build. Thinking of my deployed friend, I, however, am comforted by the fact that they are STEEL.
What Are Steel Buildings?
Posted by admin on Jan 19, 2009
Steel buildings are the metal buildings and they are getting much in demand, because of the features and the benefits they offer. Both consumers are businesses prefer to go for steel buildings as they want to reduce their costs and meet their needs. Steel buildings are providing premium quality and customized solutions in the structural designs. Steel buildings are constructed not only for residential purposes but also for the commercial purposes like for multi faceted sports complex, suburban hobby shop etc.
There are a number of construction companies which are offering construction services for steel buildings, but the best company is the one which can meet your design specifications or which can fulfill your project requirements. Steel buildings can be right option for you if you want to save material cost. Warranties of 30 to 50 years are also offered by the construction companies. Some construction companies are offering international and nationwide services therefore; you can check the reputation of the company before signing any contract. The need of steel buildings was felt to introduce the customized buildings which can be built in the project’s location like in snow, rain etc. The designers of these buildings are professional experts and their expertise can be analyzed by looking their previously designed buildings.
Before signing any contract for steel building, few things should be considered by the client. Obviously the first thing is the lowest price available because if you want to reduce your material cost then select the company which have a good name in the market and which can offer you a reasonable price. Secondly, duration of warranty should be checked and the policies and coverage of warranty should be well understood. Thirdly, the steel should be of premium quality because you cannot compromise with the quality of the materials and for a stronger and durable building, commercial grade material should be only used. Most of the companies also offer maintenance services for free therefore, always ask the builder to provide free maintenance services.
Steel buildings can offer you a lot of benefits. Steel buildings are reliable because you can get at least 30 years warranty with them. These buildings can be built more quickly as compare to other conventional buildings. These buildings are durable and you can use them for any purpose. Steel buildings use strongest architectural designs therefore; you can incorporate all your creative and innovative ideas in these buildings. In addition to the above benefits, a steel building can really offer great value for your dollar. Moreover, the major benefit of steel buildings is that these are customized buildings and they can completely suit the needs of the owner.