How to Build an Underground Bunker Using Shipping Containers

Introduction to building underground bunker using shipping containers

If you’re looking to build an underground bunker, you’ve probably been wondering how to do it.

Shipping containers are an excellent choice for building above-ground shelters, but they’re not always the best solution for burying.

To get the most out of your bunker, it’s essential to understand the requirements and regulations for your area. Following are some tips and tricks to help you get started.

Construction

If you are looking for an inexpensive, spacious, and highly secure way to house your family and your valuables, you can build an underground bunker using shipping containers.

Although shipping containers are not designed to be buried, you can use them to build your bunker. To build a bunker, you will need some digging equipment. Make sure that you have something that can dig in tight spaces.

This is something like an excavator or trencher.

You’ll also need to ensure that the shipping containers are reinforced for underground use.

Ensure that you buy reinforced shipping containers that are built to withstand underground pressure and weight.

Steel bars are an excellent choice to provide support and insulate the sides and floor to protect electronic equipment. A reinforced shipping container is also resistant to nuclear attacks.

Depending on the material, you can create a bunker that will withstand the most intense blasts from a nuclear device.

The next step in building an underground bunker is sourcing used shipping containers. You can either buy new or used containers, but you have to find them in a reputable location.

After getting the containers you want to use, they must be cleaned to remove any rust or dents. Next, you can sandblast the surfaces to expose the metal and paint them with non-toxic paint.

Make sure to include a few extra layers of timber or marine plywood. Make sure to get a strong shipping container from a reputable supplier.

You don’t want to have to worry about damage to your bunker, and it will also be extremely easy to get rid of any leaking containers. Make sure to double-check any wooden flooring and walls with a professional, as these can cause caves.

Bunkers are a great idea, but make sure to buy the right materials and equipment to ensure the safety of your family and your home.

Materials

Before you start building, it’s important to know what materials you’ll need to build your bunker. For the foundation, concrete is the most effective material, but it is also susceptible to cracking and sagging.

Unlike self-healing concrete, reinforced concrete adds an extra layer of strength to your shelter. Metal beams can also be used to support the top of the bunker, protecting it from collapse.

When purchasing shipping containers, make sure they have not been treated with chemicals or painted. If you’re unsure, ask the manufacturer which chemicals were used in their manufacturing process.

Bunkers are meant to be underground, and the ground can weigh a lot. Some bunkers are buried as deep as three or six feet, and you can imagine how much heavier that would be.

To make the process even easier, be sure to use digging equipment that’s designed for compact spaces, such as a trencher or an excavator.

One of the first things to do when building an underground bunker is to decide where to bury the shipping containers. Using shipping containers is a good option for above-ground fortification, but you may have to dig a deeper pit for fully hidden containers.

It’s also important to note that shipping containers are not water-tight. When burying them below ground, the pressure on the shipping container floor can cause it to buckle.

In addition, shipping containers do not have sturdy sides, so they could collapse under the weight of the earth. So, it’s a good idea to consult with an engineer to make sure you’re building a safe bunker that meets local requirements.

Once you’ve got the materials, you need to consider how to construct the structure. If the bunker is intended to be in an underground location, the shipping containers should be reinforced so they can withstand the weight and pressure of the ground below.

Make sure that you use a container with a concrete foundation. If you’re planning to live in the shelter, use the hatch in the front of the container as an entry point. The hatch can be clamped down or opened wide to accommodate bigger items.

Requirements

If you’re interested in constructing your own underground bunker, you’ll need to know the requirements before you begin building.

The basic material that you should use is concrete, which is very durable, but can also be vulnerable to cracking. You should consider reinforced concrete over self-healing concrete. You can also use metal beams to support the structure against collapsing.

The structural integrity of the structure of your shipping container bunker is also important. Make sure it’s reinforced to withstand the pressure and weight of buried buildings.

This means incorporating steel bars and insulating the floor and walls to prevent contact with soil. You should also provide ample food and other essentials for your underground bunker, as well as a composting system.

You can even use shipping containers for your underground bunker, since the materials are environmentally friendly and have many uses.

A shipping container bunker can be spacious and affordable – however, it would need reinforcement.

Because shipping containers aren’t designed to be buried, you would need to use reinforcements to make the bunker strong enough.

You’ll also need to purchase digging equipment – a trencher or an excavator, for example. When you’re ready to start digging, make sure to check all requirements.

When burying your shipping container, ensure that it's completely covered and sealed off from any toxic chemicals. A seven-foot-deep hole is sufficient for most buried containers.

But if you’re planning to bury them completely, a 10-foot-deep pit is recommended. To reinforce the structure, make sure to cover the outside with marine plywood and place additional layers of timber over the floor space.

Permits

You may be wondering whether or not you need any permits when building an underground bunker.

Building an underground bunker is a perfectly legal home security solution. Many people in the United States like in Colorado, Texas, and Louisiana have been using containers as bunkers. But, you must get the proper permits to complete the project.

Take a blueprint of your bunker plans to your local building department. They can determine what kind of permits you need, including zoning, electrical, plumbing, and grading permits.

In addition to getting the appropriate permits for building an underground bunker, you must also ensure that you don’t violate any regulations. Failure to obtain the proper permits could have costly and dangerous consequences.

Obviously, you don’t want to get stopped in your tracks, have to pay fines and remove your project. Luckily, there are a number of simple permits that can help you to build an underground bunker with shipping containers.

One of the most important permits for an underground bunker is for the construction materials. The best building materials for an underground bunker are bricks, metal sheeting, and reinforced concrete.

Bricks are a great choice for an underground bunker because they are durable, weatherproof, and cheap.

Concrete is also self-healing, meaning that it doesn’t require maintenance and is extremely durable.

Moreover, a brick bunker will look nice!

Another key issue is the depth of the bunker. Some shipping containers can be buried up to four feet deep. You’ll need to choose a depth based on the size of your shipping containers.

You’ll also need to consider the height of the shipping containers. These are incredibly durable and sturdy, meaning you can count on them to withstand even the most brutal storms.

And if you live in an area with extreme weather, you can rest easy knowing that your container home will protect you and your loved ones.

Ventilation

Shipping containers are a popular choice when building an underground bunker. These sturdy structures can withstand pressures from all sides.

Since they are often stacked up vertically, they require minimal modifications to be secure enough to be buried underground. In addition, these containers are plentiful and easy to obtain.

Some containers are even pre-modified. Regardless of the location, be sure to consider ventilation and double-entry/exit points.

Because of the heavy weight of the ground and shipping containers, ventilation is a major concern when building an underground bunker.

A 20-foot-by-10-foot space is barely adequate for one person over a long period of time, and you should consider the size of your bunker as well as the air circulation in the room.

Aside from ventilation and air-conditioning systems, you should also take into consideration the weight of a shipping container’s walls, floor, and roof.

Aside from bricks, other construction materials such as reinforced concrete are also suitable. Reinforced concrete is cheap and durable and can withstand high loads. Its self-healing quality reduces maintenance requirements.

Its lifespan is approximately 200 years. Wood, on the other hand, is susceptible to weathering and can easily be invaded. It may even contain termites. It is a good idea to use a combination of both materials.

For the purpose of ventilation, it is advisable to use silo plastic. This material helps to protect the bunker from water and environmental waste, while still allowing air to enter.

Silo plastic can be purchased from a reputable online supplier. You can buy two layers, but they will not offer the same protection as silo plastic. However, they are more affordable than gabion cages.