Polymeric concrete for wind generator towers or other large structural applicatons

Abstract

The present invention relates to towers for wind generators or other large structural applications and uses a new construction concept, based on polymeric concrete. Polymeric concrete is composed of thermosetting resin and aggregates such as sand or gravel. Polymeric concrete has low maintenance costs and exceptional high resistance to corrosion, thus justifying its main usage in non-structural applications. Additionally, polymeric concrete has been used as mortar in the rehabilitation of civil structures, especially retrofitting of bridges and heritage buildings. Its advantages for these applications are the adherence to the traditional materials, higher compressive strength than traditional concrete and low specific weight. The tower (1), according to the invention, is built of two or more superimposed ring sections (2) in conical or cylindrical shape, each ring (2) being built of one or more shell segments and the said segments being fixed by means of mechanical and/or chemical couplings, and being made of prefabricated polymeric concrete.

Description

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AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention provides a solution for building large scale towers, including towers beyond 80 m height, reducing substantially the maintenance needs, avoiding the logistics

Problems solved by technology

However, as increased tower height implies bolder dimensioning of the tower diameter, of the wall thickness, or both, in order to assure the necessary stiffness, this solution has met increasing limitations due to materials costs and also manufacture and transport limitations due to dimensions, as a diameter of 4.2 m is the maximum allowed in many roads due to over-crossings.

Lattice towers need more ground space and imply more time consumption for on site assembly.

They also have increased inspection and maintenance costs.

A variant hybrid construction, made of a lower section of steel lattice and an upper section of steel wall, has been proposed as in DE 103 39 438 A1, but it requires expensive joints.

Hybrid variants with a concrete lower section, as in WO 2005/015013, improve the load-bearing capacity and easines

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