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February 17, 2009Quonset huts are a unique architectural phenomena, a revolutionary concept in temporary housing. Quonset huts are essentially lightweight buildings designed from galvanized iron structured with in a hemispherical cross section. The design of Quonset huts was inspired from the Nissen hut model and was made popular by the British during World War I. Since the original design of the Nissen prototype was an intricate array of corrugated iron panels both inside and the thermal protection came from the space between the panel arrangements, the Government came up with a variation to avoid setbacks during shipping and reassembly. Quonset huts were named after the first manufacturing site, Quonset Point, Danisville, which was part of Rhode Island. The first approved design had a surface area 5 x 11 m and was constructed from hemispherical iron rods with a 2.4 m radius, and these were then covered with ribbed iron panes. The sides of the main unit was cut out to include the doors and windows in wooden ply, and the thermal protected central area had wooden flooring.
The very idea of this type of provisional housing facilities increased in use post 1941 when the US Navy needed reliable shelters for its military bases. The answer lay in constructing a lightweight shelter that could be readily shipped anywhere and did not require expert hands during assembly. In fact the building itself could be assembled just about anywhere, on concrete, iron pilings or even directly on the ground. The interior space is an open area allowing maximum flexibility, which means the facility could be used as housing, office or medical space, military storage units or even barracks. Quonsets instantly provided the US troops with better comfort than did other temporary shelters such as tents with wooden platforms, which were the common structures used then.
From its original usage as military structures, Quonset huts have seen many enhancements and other companies began to make variations to the model for other uses. From its initial deisgn, Quonset huts have seen many enhancements, and the last significant one was in 1943 when the Quonset Point manufacturing factory was taken over by the Great Lakes Steel Corporation and established as the Stran Steel Division. The variant of the Quonset huts thus developed had a more elongated design and applied the full arch corrugated pipes that was part of the intial model. Some variations of the Quonset hut structures were created to serve special needs, such as the wooden Pacific hut, and many of these did save valuable metal resources. Some designs of Quonset huts were even constructed as air raid cover. Several larger units and multi arched Quonset huts have also been built as a response to special requests, government or civil.
Originally Quonset huts did come up to solve military requirements, but have since risen to an architectural icon. In current times, Quonset huts are receiving better recognition as a form of housing, and are an indicator of the American belief in creativity. Quonset huts are certainly an exclusive phenomena, where the novel and the extraordinary merge seamlessly.
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One drawback that it has is that they do not give much scope of change in the basic structure and one can not install doors and windows at desired places. Since they do not need skilled assistance for assembly, they can be assembled by the purchases also. Depending upon the precise requirement of the purchaser, some manufacturers also provide customization option but not with complete freedom to alter the structure.
The concept of demand and supply has now crowded the market with large number of enthusiastic merchants of the Quonset Huts. This metal structure in itself has revolutionized the agriculture industry in many countries and is being rapidly adopted in farms for storing grains and cattle against the odds of weather.
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We had prefab structures for extra classrooms, while our high school was being remodeled. It felt a bit like being in a big huge RV.
A quick search for steel buildings yielded a handful of companies that provide them for numerous purposes. The government uses a lot of these type of structures. You will see that many companies advertise their Government Services Administration approval.
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The applicability of these qualities of Quonset huts could not be ignored by the general public and soon they were used to erect warehouses, stores, shops, garages and even hangars.
Quonset huts are inexpensive as compared to traditional construction and take less time to build. Due to the size of the structure it is first manufactured in parts in the factory and later transported to the place where it is required to be put together. One drawback that it has is that they do not give much scope of change in the basic structure and one can not install doors and windows at desired places. Since they do not need skilled assistance for assembly, they can be assembled by the purchases also.
Durability, cost, health and environmental benefits are all positive aspects of metal buildings.
It is less expensive to use metal in construction than one might think. Due to the fact that metal is durable and tends to be long lasting, it is a good investment. Metal buildings are not prone to termite infestations, rotting or other structural issues that you might find with a material like wood. In addition, metal is much stronger than wood which means that you are able to build taller, wider and larger dwellings over all that are still safe.
Quonset huts have several advantages in addition to being economical and stronger in comparison with a traditional masonry and concrete structure. They are built to easily see a natural disaster like earthquake and hurricane through. Quonset huts are also eco friendly as the material can be reused and recycled in other buildings.
Quonset huts are now another name given to steel buildings. Steel buildings use non traditional building materials like steel sheets, columns and blocks made out of re enforced steel.
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Building materials are now a days available in different shapes and sizes as pre built components for metal buildings. This has reduced the overall construction costs incurred on manual labor and transportation applicable on making concrete blocks for use in the structure.
There are a number of other benefits as well, the insurance premiums are lower in comparison with a building made of wood and the cost of maintenance and safeguarding is much lower too. A building made of wood would be vulnerable to several types of pests and not to forget fire all of which is hard to contain once spread. Metal buildings also fare better during an earthquake or hurricane as the resistance is much higher due to the compressive strength.
This enhances the protection from extreme weather conditions. Because of the different requirements of the people, Quonset hut is also available with 20 by 40 ft or 6 by 12 m and 40 by 100 ft or 12 by 30 m.
Because of the flexible interiors these houses are in demand. The interior space is open and it can be also used as barracks, latrines, housing, bakeries, medical or offices. During Second World War 150,000 to 170,000 Quonset were manufactured.
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