Cargo container basement

[therealdgh]

Has anyone tried, or thought of, using a steel open top ocean going cargo container for a basement of sorts for an Io-20 or other small dome?

For a guest house/initial dwelling, I was trying to figure out a place to put the battery string for a PV (solar) system without making another dome just to hold the batteries and solar equipment. I already have a cargo container as a storage shed and had seen the open top variety when I bought the current one. I thought it might be feasible to put an Io-20 partially over the container and use the container as a basement. It would be cheap and quick. Just need to dig the hole and drop the container in and create a roof sturdy enough to hold dirt over it.

Dean

[Minnesota]

If you really want to I'm sure it would work. If you just want a basement why not just put your IO20 on a 10 foot stemwall. If you just want twice as much space you could build a 28 footer, have it all on one floor and no stairway to eat up space.

[lthobbes]

Hello! I am thinking of doing the same- has anyone tried putting in a 20' cargo container below the foundation of a dome?

[angelofdodd]

The amount of reinforcment/mods needed to put a container in the ground,makes them not very practical for such.
Doing a basement in steel reinforced concrete,would be cheaper,stronger,and with less hassle.
They(shipping containers)are designed to withstand incredible downward loads at the corner/upright beams.They dont do so well on the walls,and ceiling metal.
Just sticking a container in a hole in the ground,and covering it with dirt can lead to disaster,without some serious reinforcment done first.They can,and have collapsed.
Most containers I've seen buried,required a reinforced poured pad with footer,reinforced poured walls,and a reinforced pourer over roof.
If your going to go through all that,you might as well just make the whole thing with the reinforced concrete.
Matt