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.
A metal garage is a tremendously useful structure that is ideally used for keeping your car warm and dry. It has many other uses aside from this obvious one however. A storage space for tools and garden tools is also an ideal use for a metal garage. A pre built metal garage that you assemble yourself is also very easy to build, especially if it comes in kit form.
One of the main advantages of a metal garage is that it is very easy to assemble.
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While wood sidings are sometimes used for finishing walls and roofs, the use of metal sheaths is far more common. Steel pole buildings are also often known as pole barns, particularly when they are used for agricultural applications.
Another common application of steel in agricultural and industrial fields is in steel arch buildings. These types of buildings are by far the easiest ones to assemble, which makes them a popular choice for construction. Since steel arch buildings use arched steel panels in their construction, they often do not need any framing or the use of columns or posts.
There are no gutters or siding to maintain. Metal buildings stand up to severe weather and fire like no traditional structure. Metal buildings do not require the use of any trees and their components can be reused. Termites, of course, do not even look at a metal structure.
Amusement parks may use metal buildings for fun and entertainment, but the rest of the world finds the buildings useful for the same durable and economical reasons.
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A metal garage is also quite easy to build, particularly if you buy one that is pre fabricated or that comes in a kit.
A metal garage can also be put together quite easily. Almost every metal garage that you can buy on the market is designed for do it yourself assembly and does not really require much in the way of tools and equipment. Even if you do not have any previous experience building a metal garage, you should get by with very little difficulty.
It is also quite easy to find a metal garage, either in a home supply store or on the Internet.
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The same portability and ease of construction concept that made Quonset huts so invaluable to the U. S. military is why steel buildings are such an attractive option for residential and commercial uses today. Like Quonset huts, the current metal buildings are super easy to put together and do not require special tools or knowledge. Steel buildings are used for a wide variety of commercial and residential purposes.
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The best part may be that steel is completely recyclable. About sixty millions tons of steel is recycled annually, which exceeds that of glass, aluminum, plastic and paper combined! To build a 2,000 square foot dwelling from wood you would need to harvest 40 to 50 trees, whereas buildings of the same size in steel would only require six recycled cars!
Physical health and safety also get high marks with steel. First of all, steel is not conducive to molds and mildews, unlike wood buildings. Since steel is galvanized, it does not rust. These two factors lead to better air quality within the dwelling than you can find in most houses built of natural materials.
Not only are the buildings versatile and strong enough for use as a barn or horse arena, but they are resistant to insects and vermin as well as warping, deterioration and rot. A commercial strip mall or warehouse project would have other requirements. Here, a pre engineered metal building would be the best alternative as you can have the structure designed to your specifications. As for other types of projects, panelized metal stud buildings are quite suitable for commercial office buildings. They are able to support several levels and have great flexibility for multiple designs.
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Thankfully, when you choose pre fabricated metal buildings, your building will practically be finished in the blink of an eye.
If you are looking to build a towering structure for your next building, metal will be the only choice for you. Traditional building materials, such as wood, cannot bear the weight of taller buildings. However, the strength contained in metal buildings allows for the taller walls needed to construct soaring buildings.
When some people think of using metal as a building material, they are most likely assuming that metal is a sturdy material with many limitations.