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Buried Shipping Containers: How-To Reinforce

Shipping Containers for Underground Use
Last Updated: July 30, 2023
Ryan Stoltz(https://www.containeraddict.com/author/containeraddict84/)

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4 (https://www.containeraddict.com/bury-shipping-containers-
Comments underground/#comments)
With the current upsurge in threats of nuclear warfare and natural catastrophes, an
underground bunker is worth thinking about. Such a bunker can be a safe haven to protect
you and your family from the chaos above the ground. Setting up an underground bunker
may not be an afternoon stroll in the park, but it is possible.
Many people fail to realize that a lot of pressure is produced whenever an object is buried.
Even something as huge as a shipping container can be damaged when pressure is
exerted on all sides.
Though sturdy, shipping containers aren’t designed for underground use as they are. This
explains why it is essential to follow the below-mentioned steps when reinforcing a
shipping container (https://containeraddict.com/reinforcing-shipping-containers/). These
steps will ensure your container offers a safe place (https://www.containeraddict.com/are-
shipping-container-homes-safe/) to take cover whenever need be.
 Table of Contents [ hide ]
1 Six Tried and Proven Ways of Reinforcing Your Shipping Container
1.1 1. Prepare the Reinforcing Items
1.2 2. Bury the Container in an Upside Down Position
1.3 3. Reinforce the Roof
1.4 4. Reinforce the sides
1.5 5. Ensure it is an EMP Proof
1.6 6. Seal your Shipping Container
2 Things to Remember When Stuffing Up Your Shipping Container
2.1 Share this:

Six Tried and Proven Ways of Reinforcing Your Shipping

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Container
1. Prepare the Reinforcing Items
The following items should be on your priority list before you embark on reinforcing your
shipping container;
Strong steel bars
Thick Rags and Mats
Welding Material
Copper Braising
Coper Mesh/Stainless Steel
2. Bury the Container in an Upside Down Position
Under normal circumstances, the floor of a shipping container bears more weight and is
thicker than the roof (https://www.containeraddict.com/shipping-container-roof-kit/).
When used as an underground bunker, the roof bears more weight from the dirt above.
Burying the container upside down will help to provide the structural support it needs at
the top.
It will also prevent the floor from warping when the container settles to the ground. This,
however, doesn’t mean you refrain from providing extra structural support using strong
steel bars.
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3. Reinforce the Roof
Though made of steel, shipping containers are vulnerable to underground pressures. You
need to have an extra amount of structural support on the roof of the container. A
reinforced roof can be achieved by welding strong steel bars to the roof of the container
and covering it with concrete.
This will ensure structural integrity (https://www.discovercontainers.com/mistakes-to-
avoid-building-a-shipping-container-home/) and prevent the roof from caving in due to
pressure from the dirt above.
 !et ou q a teG
4. Reinforce the sides
The sidewalls are the weakest part of a shipping container because it lacks horizontal and
vertical supports at the middle. The corrugated steel on the sides must be reinforced on
the inside to withstand the external pressure and weight.
You can reinforce the sides by supporting the middle section using strong steel bars. A
reinforced shipping container (https://www.containeraddict.com/reinforcing-shipping-
containers/) is less vulnerable to the pressure that comes with underground positioning.
5. Ensure it is an EMP Proof
EMP’s are undoubtedly one of the most destructive weapons that can be used on the
planet. A single nuclear bomb can wipe out all electronics within thousands of miles from
the location of detonation.
Even though the probability of an EMP burst currently remains undetermined, a stitch in
time might just save nine-or twenty.
You can ensure your container is EMP proof (https://urbansurvivalsite.com/reinforce-
shipping-container-bury-emp-proof/) by grounding it firmly and putting mats and rags on
the floor to act as insulators and reduce the chances of your electronics being damaged
in an EMP blast.
Even though positioning your container underground means it is already well grounded, it
needs to be supported such that the EMP flows through the ground with the least
resistance. Proper grounding will also ensure potential stray fields are eradicated.
6. Seal your Shipping Container
Your shipping container will serve you well against EMP’s for as long as your shipping
container is sealed (https://www.containeraddict.com/shipping-container-seals/) properly.
You can fill it up with your favorite electronics or those you would wish to protect. For
best results, you can use the nesting Russian nesting technique where cages are put
inside cages which are put inside other cages. You can achieve this using sealable metal
trashcans, microwaves and ammunition boxes.
To seal up the container doors (https://www.containeraddict.com/shipping-container-
doors/), use a copper mesh wall or stainless steel. These are easily broken whenever you
need to access the container. Other options that can do the trick involve soldering the
door and shutting it completely or sealing it using copper braiding. These options are

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usually the safest but not mandatory.
Things to Remember When Stuffing Up Your Shipping
Container
All items must be kept at a safe distance from the metal walls.
The walls of a steel container carries current for as long as the pulse lasts
Anything in contact with the walls can be damaged.
Lay down some thick rags on the floor as well to prevent damage.
Install a wooden floor on your container to insulate the floor.
Questions People Ask:
Can a shipping container survive a tornado?
How do you prepare ground for shipping containers?
How long do shipping containers last?
Are shipping containers safe in lightning?
How long will a shipping container last underground?
Can you breathe in a shipping container?
Turning a shipping container to an underground bunker isn’t as simple as turning your
truck into a temporary house. You have to prioritize the structural integrity of the
container to ensure it can handle underground weight and pressure.
Using steel bars to provide structural support and insulating the floor and the sides is a
good way to begin. Reinforcing your container properly will transform your underground
bunker into a safety haven for you, your family and precious electronics.
If you are planning to create an underground cozy living space that can shield you from
natural catastrophes or nuclear bombs, carefully follow the steps addressed above.
You’ll never go wrong with a reinforced shipping container.
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4 Responses
vaughn March 423)
22, 2022 at 12:23 pm (https://www.containeraddict.com/bury-shipping-containers-underground/#comment-
says:
i wanted to build inside our basement, steel and bullet proof walls and ceiling, putting a container in
there would be great for a new build but will not work for our home. thinking about putting 2 at the
garage door attached to the current frame of the garage and building around and over. may be
cheaper? pretty much like parking a car in a basement. I am worried about future crime.
Reply

Dean Winfield November 8, 2021 at 9:20 pm (https://www.containeraddict.com/bury-shipping-containers-

underground/#comment-126)
says:

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Hi, Steel prices are making our 20’ container build cost prohibit ive. Thus, our plan is to:
1. invert the container, seal the ceiling wit h flex seal and caulk wit h epoxy etc and the exterior roof
and deck wit h 3/4 inch PT and roofing tar seal etc.
2. reinforce interior walls wit h a 4x4x8 wall system framed @ 24” on center, framed on both sides
and ends, less door and escape hatch, wit h 4×4 bracing in between 24” centers also at 2’ intervals,
ceiling to floor, like if we were to weld like a rib cage weld.
3. Install new 4x4x8 floor decked wit h 3/4 pt plywood and seal.
4. 6×6 reinforcement posts or column down center of container and or along walls on both sides of
container.
The welding contractor quoted $25K for labor and materials for it to be welded right but actually
advised this timber build instead due to steel prices through the roof lit erally 2/3 of the costs.
The main thing is that it be properly reinforced wit h a timber frame package and inverted or there is
no point in doing it or it will become a casket and we don’t want that.
Please let us know if u think this is sound timber frame package, I will also run it by a structural
engineer.
Thank you
Reply
 Robert mcbee October 31, 2021 at 10:56 pm (https://www.containeraddict.com/bury-shipping-containers-
underground/#comment-108)
says:
Wouldn’t a cement wall around the underground container strengthen the structure
Reply

↪
Gino January
343)
8, 2022 at 8:42 pm (https://www.containeraddict.com/bury-shipping-containers-underground/#comment-
says:
Yes, but you would have to form that, as if a basement, before you put the container wit hin it .
You can’t fill up the wet cement around the container like backfilling. The cement is
tremendously heavy. Even heavier than dir t. Both of which will cave in the walls and roof. Plus
cement walls would be expensive… if you can afford that then you’ve basically created an
underground bunker basement already and don’t need the container. You’d just have to cap it for
a roof/ceiling. You could also add EMP shielding to the exterior of the cement and then ground it

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wit h a connect heavy gauge wire and grounding rod. I’d probably add several wire/rod grounds…
maybe one at each corner to diffuse the EMP into the ground easily. If you’re wanting to be able
to take shelter in it you’re also going to need a means of fresh air O2 and an exhaust to get out
the CO2. Proper preparation makes for a great final result.
Reply

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