Granpafishy
SOC-12
What are the sizes of 'standard' cargo containers?
And of these sizes, what are the dimensions?
And of these sizes, what are the dimensions?
Cargo Containers in your Traveller Universe
- Thread starter Granpafishy
- Start date
A standard cargo cantainer (ISO International Shipping container) is 10'wide by 10'high by 20'long. OTU a standard shippping container is 3M wide by 3M high by 6M long.
The ISO containers vary by a couple of inches in all dimensions depending on manufacturer, but the locking holes at the corners are usually within 1/4in of each other.
Some shipping containers used are 40' long. These are used transoceanic by civilian companies. The U.S. amd most NATO military sticks to the 20' long variety. The equipment to handle the 40' containers does not exist at most of the places the military deploys to.
One of the limits on cantainers is cargo weight. They are designed to handle less than about 9 tons of cargo each. Over that, structural failure can occur in high stacks or when lifted.
The ISO containers vary by a couple of inches in all dimensions depending on manufacturer, but the locking holes at the corners are usually within 1/4in of each other.
Some shipping containers used are 40' long. These are used transoceanic by civilian companies. The U.S. amd most NATO military sticks to the 20' long variety. The equipment to handle the 40' containers does not exist at most of the places the military deploys to.
One of the limits on cantainers is cargo weight. They are designed to handle less than about 9 tons of cargo each. Over that, structural failure can occur in high stacks or when lifted.
Granpafishy
SOC-12
Hmmmm.... This brings up a intersting question, on ships like the free trader, how high is the cargo area?
Most of the deck plans I've seen have 3m between walking surfaces with a .5m taken out for conduit and piping, this only leaves 2.5m. Am I missing something here?
Most of the deck plans I've seen have 3m between walking surfaces with a .5m taken out for conduit and piping, this only leaves 2.5m. Am I missing something here?
Given that cargo containers are 3 meters high, cargo decks pretty much have to be multiples of 3 meters high, plus an additional 10-20 cm or you couldn't get the containers in or move them around. Conduit and piping will need to run around the sides or in conduit runs above or below the actual cargo decks.
BTW 10 feet and 3 meters are essentially the same distance. 10' = 3 m + 4.8 mm ... 3 m = 9' 11.811"
Some of the deck plans I have seen do accomidate the 3M cieling for containers, some don't.
The plans for the far trader I have seen do show a high ceiling in the cargo bay.
THe .5M for piping, wiring and other essentials will not be needed in a cargo bay or can be designed around them.
Then you also have ships like the scout/courier. It's cargo bay is about .5M high if you look at the plans from the side. Not real effective if you want to use standard containers.
The cargo bay in the Leviathan is a couple of decks high, with no deck between. You should be able to stack containers two high in it's bay.
Problems happen when you look at the AHL. The drawings of it's deck plans show only boxes and barrels that appear to be about 1M each way. No shipping containers to be seen.
The plans for the far trader I have seen do show a high ceiling in the cargo bay.
THe .5M for piping, wiring and other essentials will not be needed in a cargo bay or can be designed around them.
Then you also have ships like the scout/courier. It's cargo bay is about .5M high if you look at the plans from the side. Not real effective if you want to use standard containers.
The cargo bay in the Leviathan is a couple of decks high, with no deck between. You should be able to stack containers two high in it's bay.
Problems happen when you look at the AHL. The drawings of it's deck plans show only boxes and barrels that appear to be about 1M each way. No shipping containers to be seen.
Granpafishy
SOC-12
Ok, please bear with me here. Since I only have T4 (slowly gathering CT), I don't have the plans for the Boewolf Free Trader. On a standard free trader (assuming the Boewolf is standard), what are it's decks like?
IMTU, Standard containers are
LxWxH)
1/4 Td 1.5x1.5x1.5m
1 Td 1.5x3x3m
2 Td 3x3x3m
4 Td 6x3x3m
5 Td 7.5x3x3m
6 Td 9x3x3
8 Td 6x6x3m
10 Td 7.5x6x3m
12 Td 9x6x3m
Anything bigger is either packaged in breakbulk units of same, carried as a single "Open unit", or custom crated.
Certain "Nonstandards" are common: made by "Bundling" two or more containers, or taking 3x3m panels and junctions, and assembling them.
They break down, too. Requires a maintenance hatch key, can only be done from inside, and takes time. I figure 3 cm thickness.
LxWxH)1/4 Td 1.5x1.5x1.5m
1 Td 1.5x3x3m
2 Td 3x3x3m
4 Td 6x3x3m
5 Td 7.5x3x3m
6 Td 9x3x3
8 Td 6x6x3m
10 Td 7.5x6x3m
12 Td 9x6x3m
Anything bigger is either packaged in breakbulk units of same, carried as a single "Open unit", or custom crated.
Certain "Nonstandards" are common: made by "Bundling" two or more containers, or taking 3x3m panels and junctions, and assembling them.
They break down, too. Requires a maintenance hatch key, can only be done from inside, and takes time. I figure 3 cm thickness.
Granpafishy
SOC-12
I like that idea.
Sounds kind of like the idea of aircraft pallets.
They are about 8ft square, and 2in thick. 1/8in thick aluminum sheeting over a balsa wood core with tiedown brackets around the edges. They can be linked togather for large packages. They are designed to fit exactly the rails in Air Force cargo aircraft. It makes for quick up and down loading.
The pallets are just over 8ft square, I don't have the exact measurments now. They can be lifted by two men easily. Nyon cargo netting is used to secure loads to the pallets.
They are about 8ft square, and 2in thick. 1/8in thick aluminum sheeting over a balsa wood core with tiedown brackets around the edges. They can be linked togather for large packages. They are designed to fit exactly the rails in Air Force cargo aircraft. It makes for quick up and down loading.
The pallets are just over 8ft square, I don't have the exact measurments now. They can be lifted by two men easily. Nyon cargo netting is used to secure loads to the pallets.
