Ok, well I was looking into underground storage. Not much spent on climate control and such, and would have access from my basement. I was wondering if anyone out there knows much about shipping containers. I would have it placed with the bottom about 13-15 feet below ground, so the top would only be like 5 feet. I was wondering this because I know how cheap they are, and it would be the perfect thing I think. Can anyone help me on this?

Look here. http://www.rdprogrammer.com/habitableshippingcontainer

There was a huge thread about this complete with plans but I can't find it now.

Thats kinda cool, not realy what I was looking for but still cool.

Desert Wolf's Thread

The biggest thread in DIY

I don't think you guys understand, not to be rude or anything. I have read the house thread. The thing is, I don't want to live in it, I want to use it for storage. I was hoping someone knew what they could handle so I can figure if it will take the pressure of the dirt above it, or if using it underground and connecting it to the house is against any zoning regulations or the like.

Well, if you'd read the thread maybe you'd remember they're made to stack ~10 high on a cargo ship. If it can hold 9 containers above it full of merchandise I'm sure it can hold 5 feet of dirt.

Right, but he wants to use it for storing stuff lol.

Swap the beds for shelves there, buddy.

Well hell - I never thought MY site would be linked to, but whatever.

As for the storage. I believe that the containers would work with 5 feet of dirt above them, but 5 feet is a lot. If it possible I'd say take it down to about 3. I would also consider some sort of load bearing device above it, like a half-circle of concrete or some steel sheeting above it to dissipate some of the load. I am sure the container will hold up, but they are built to support the wieght above them at their corners and sides, not on the top of them, so the roof might buckle some. Either way I am pretty sure it'll work.

As for zoning, that is base don your area. I know here it would be fine as long as you got the permit to add or expand a basement.

RDP

5 feet is way to much dirt. If you want the floor of the container to line up with the floor of your basement then you only need a couple inches to a foot or so of dirt. The floor of my basement is about 8 feet underground so if I were to bury a 10ft container I wouldn't need any dirt. In fact, it would stick up about 2 feet and I would have to cover it up with a couple inches of girt and some grass / plants / something. Shit, I mean unless your building a nuclear bunker...

How about you.....contact your city and ask them if it's against their zoning regulations. If you can't figure that one out, good fucking luck with this project. Before you did it you'd have to get a building permit anyways, so you're not getting the building permit if it's against your zoning regulations.