This says shipping containers should handle 300lbs/sqft fwiw
I would turn the end out so the doors face into the compound. It means you need a lot more containers, but it makes them easy to get into if you want actual storage and the smaller surface area between the reinforced corners makes it stronger than the sides or the roof.
You would probably need a wall between sections of containers, because it would be pretty tough to get that many containers in place even if they were the long way. Better yet, have a wall all the way around the compound with shipping containers on the inside to help reinforce the wall.
I know the theory of the ‘W’ really being a Morgan ‘M’ are out there, but I just don’t buy it.
As for the ultimate zombie fortification, a military base or prison really is ideal. Barriers already exist, and the infrastructure is in place to be self sustaining.
Actually, an old star fort might be ideal. Built to withstand a siege, usually with a moat or other water feature as a natural barrier.
Fort Monroe in VA would be a good choice. It’s a large brick fort with a moat around it, with only 4 access points. Inside is basically a small subdivision of homes and buildings. Stockpile with supplies, develop some sustainable agriculture/farming/livestock, and you’re pretty much set. Lots of military bases nearby to raid for weapons. Let’s get medieval!!
It’s unclear this would be a problem. When a walker is dispatched, they tend to just leave the corpse where it falls. Naturally, the wire will gave to be regularly patrolled and inspected.
Not necessarily a problem. If the concertina fence starts like this:
OOOOOOOOOO
and gradually comes to resemble this:
OOOOOzzzzOOOOO
then add a new line over the old one:
… OOOOOOO
OOOOOzzzzOOOOO
It’s not a perfect defense, of course, but it’s relatively easy and fast to put in in place and its perimeter can even be readily exoanded. I like the shipping container idea, for defense and storage. Put the concertina wire between the containers to fill in any gaps while you steadily build up the container wall.
How does it compare to the Pentagon?
The Pentagon is shaped like a ring. A star fort is shaped like a star. The projections – the star fort’s ‘rays’ – allow for better coverage when firing on an enemy.
I thought the Pentagon was shaped like a pentagon?
The Pentagon is a huge building. You could occupy part of it, but defending the whole thing would be problematic until you’ve got a fairly large community going.
That was doubletalk put out by the Trilateral Commission. They were foursquare behind that hex.
And the public ate it up. All nine yards.
The Fort has a moat, very limited access points, and lots of open space inside the walls for planting vegetables and a little livestock development. The star shape gives good line of fire to defend the fort.
The Pentagon is basically a heavily defended office building.
What is the difference between a fort and a fortress?
Breastworks.
Still, if I was that close, I’d send a delegation to the Pentagon and watch it from a safe distance for a while to see if any remnants of the U.S. military are there. If so, I’d consider cautiously but nonthreateningly trying to make contact.
Now there’s an idea… Use shipping containers to quickly establish a perimeter, then fill them with dirt to make a solid berm. If you’ve got enough time, you could dig a trench around the outside, putting the dirt in the shipping containers. A row of outward pointing stakes on either side, and you should be able to slow just about anything without wings or heavy armor to a halt.
The story with the shipping containers used a palisade of telephone poles. The shipping containers provided the inner walkway and storage. That would be a lot harder to construct than filling them with dirt, but if you have the equipment to fetch containers, it might not be such a challenge.