Case Study: Thermal performance of shipping containers
Company
Glasgow Caledonian University Experts
The Centre for Research on Indoor Climate and health (RICH)
Background
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| Prototype hotel room developed using a shipping container |
Steel shipping containers, green technology and car showrooms don’t immediately seem to have much of a connection however Rubix Solutions have re-used shipping containers to address sustainable low carbon modular builds with minimal environmental impact which can be used in a variety of market places from budget hotel accommodation, car showrooms, and prison cells to emergency disaster housing such is the flexibility.
The Project
If these product designs to reuse steel shipping containers were to be taken forward to prototyping and ultimately put out to the open marketplace for purchase then a feasibility study or analysis of their environmental performance was required.
After discussing the company’s requirements, KIT-OUT the Park introduced Rubix Solution to Glasgow Caledonian University’s Centre for Research on Indoor Climate and Health (RICH) to undertake a study on the thermal performance and condensation risks of using steel shipping containers which were are clad with thermal insulation.
The analysis was carried out looking at the effect of specific possible ‘defects’ and investigating them. The thermal performance of the components of the building including the effect of various insulation options (including conventional and ecological materials) was analysed together with ventilation and occupancy factors using the TRISCO software package and SAP2005 procedure. The CO2 production and the overall energy demand were then also investigated. The physical structure of the building was also analysed to provide a robust report which Rubix could use to give confidence in their products to move forward to the prototype stage.
Funding & Exposure
As a result of its contact with KIT-OUT the Park, Rubix Solutions was successful in an application for a SCIS award (Small Companies Innovation Scheme) from Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley to allow them to build a prototype. There is significant interest being shown in their products and again through the relationship built with Glasgow Caledonian University and KIT-OUT the Park a number of referrals (in the Loch Lomond area) and networking introductions have been made with other companies seeking such solutions.
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| Alan Wallace of Rubix Solutions |
