Quonset huts, sometimes referred to as Q series steel buildings, are valued for the strength of their corrugated and rounded arch design. These buildings are amazingly strong and have proven resistant to hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and heavy wind, rain and snow. Without need of supportive beams or trusses, a Quonset hut has 100 percent usable space for such disparate purposes as grain and crop storage and airplane hangars.
Quonset huts (named for the town of Quonset, Rhode Island) were developed during World War II at the naval base in Quonset to address the need for light housing and storage that could be quickly erected and torn down in the field using nothing more complicated than hand tools. These huts consisted of steel building panels that were strong enough to protect troops and supplies from the elements.
The trouble with the initial Quonset hut design was that the panels and steel rib frame were supported by wooden purlins that prevented effective use of the buildings for more diverse uses such as bakeries, showers, dental offices and isolation wards. The design was subsequently modified to its current incarnation of side walls with rounded steel arch roof, thus opening up more usable space in the structure. This modified design also proved easier to assemble and take down in the field. In fact, military personnel liked Quonset huts so much that many of them purchased surplus huts after the war for their personal housing; even universities purchased them for student housing. Quonset huts can still be seen in use around the world today.
A display of Quonset huts is located at the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park in Davisville, Rhode Island. This display honors the historic relationship between the Seabees and Quonset huts that has endured since World War II. Today, of course, Quonset huts are used for more civilian purposes. Farmers find them ideal for grain and crops storage, as their steel construction has proven effective over the years in keeping Mother Nature at bay. That same strong construction makes Quonset huts a good choice for small airplane enthusiasts to house airplanes and store airplane related equipment. Outsourcing the erection of an airplane hangar can incur considerable labor costs. Using the Quonset hut design, the airplane owner can quickly and easily assemble a durable, long lasting airplane hanger, with room enough for related equipment storage. Related articles Metal building manufacturer Prefabricated buildings Portable garages

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by: fredthompson
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