Try these for starts;
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=70
http://www.digitaldioramas.com/2003/issue7/dd_structures.htm
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2002/06/stuff_eng_tech_diorama_bases.htm