Tower section connection structure for tower-type structure and method for assembling tower-type structure

The tower connection structure for offshore wind power generation devices addresses the complexity of conventional flange joining by using a frustum-shaped connection and tapered skirt parts with a seal and filler, simplifying assembly and reducing the impact of structural sway in challenging marine environments.

JP2025084373APending Publication Date: 2025-06-03PENTA OCEAN CONSTRUCTION CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023198230
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-22
Publication Date
2025-06-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional offshore wind power generation devices require complex bolt hole alignment and fastening operations for flange joining, which is difficult and time-consuming, especially in deep water and open sea environments where structural sway is significant.

Method used

A tower connection structure featuring a frustum-shaped connection part at the upper end of the lower structure, a tapered cylindrical skirt part at the lower end of the upper structure, a seal member to seal the gap between the skirt and connection parts, and a filler to secure the connection, eliminating the need for bolt hole alignment and fastening.

Benefits of technology

This solution simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the complexity of bolt hole alignment and reduces the impact of structural sway, allowing efficient connection of the upper and lower structures even in challenging marine conditions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a tower section connection structure for a tower-type structure, which enables efficient assembly work without using flange joining, which is a complicated operation, and a method for assembling a tower-type structure.SOLUTION: A tower section connection structure of a tower-type structure comprises a frustum-shaped connection section 14 formed at an upper end of a lower structure 12, a tapered cylindrical skirt section 15 formed at a lower end of an upper structure 13 and fitted onto the outside of the connection section 14, a seal member 16 that seals the entire circumference of a lower end of a gap 18 between an inner peripheral surface of the skirt section 15 and an outer peripheral surface of the connection section 14, and a filler 17 that fills the gap 18. The skirt section 15 and the connection section 14 are connected via the filler 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tower connection structure for connecting a base portion and a tower portion of an offshore wind power generation device or the like, and a method for assembling the tower structure.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, from the viewpoints of environmental impact and effective utilization of natural energy, the use of renewable energy has been promoted, and among them, wind power generation with a large power generation potential has attracted attention.

[0003] In particular, the ocean is an environment where it is easier to obtain wind suitable for wind power generation compared to land, and since it is suitable for the environment in which a wind power generation device is installed, in recent years, the development and installation of offshore wind power generation devices have been promoted.

[0004] This offshore wind power generation device 1 is a tower structure including a bottom structure 2 of a floating type or a fixed type such as a monopile, a tower-shaped upper structure 3 having a lower end connected to the upper end of the bottom structure 2, and a wind power generation facility 4 including a windmill (nacelle·rotor) or the like supported by the upper end portion of the upper structure 3.

[0005] For the connection between the upper structure 3 and the bottom structure 2, flange joining is widely used, in which a flange 5 arranged at the upper end of the bottom structure 2 and a flange 6 arranged around the entire circumference of the lower end of the upper structure 3 are fastened by a plurality of bolts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] The assembly of such an offshore wind power generation device is performed, as shown in FIG. 16, by installing and stabilizing the bottom structure 2 of a fixed type such as a floating type or a monopile, and then connecting the lower end of the upper structure 3 in a state of being suspended by a crane 8 mounted on a large crane ship 7 or a SEP ship or the like at the upper end of the bottom structure 2. In the figure, reference numeral 9 is the water surface.

[0007] At that time, the upper structure 3 is moved onto the lower structure 2 while being suspended by the crane 8, and the flange 6 of the upper structure 3 is joined to the flange 5 of the lower structure 2 while finely adjusting the positions of the bolt holes of both flanges 5 and 6. Then, the joined flanges 5 and 6 are fastened by a number of bolts (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, in the conventional technology as described above, when joining the flanges connecting the upper structure and the lower structure, it is necessary to adjust the positions of the bolt holes opened in the upper and lower flanges in units of mm. In the case of a 15 MW-class wind turbine, since about 200 M100 bolts are used, the alignment and fastening work of the bolt holes for that number is very complicated and difficult.

[0010] In addition, when the lower structure is a floating type, the water depth in the installation area is deep, and in the open sea where an SEP ship cannot be used, both the floating body which is the lower structure and the work ship suspending the upper structure swing, and in a situation where the relative swing between the upper structure and the lower structure becomes several meters, it is necessary to perform the above-described bolt hole position adjustment. Therefore, there is a risk that the work becomes more difficult, and there is a problem that the work is limited to days when both the waves and the wind are calm.

[0011] In particular, in the open sea of the exclusive economic zone where introduction will be promoted in the future, there is a risk that there are almost no days when both the waves and the wind are calm throughout the year and the work becomes almost impossible.

[0012] Therefore, in view of such conventional problems, the present invention has been made for the purpose of providing a tower connection structure of a tower-shaped structure and an assembly method of a tower-shaped structure capable of efficiently performing an assembly operation without using a flange joint that is complicated in work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The feature of the invention according to claim 1 for solving the conventional problems as described above is that in a tower connection structure of a tower-shaped structure in which a cylindrical lower structure and a tower-shaped upper structure are connected, a frustum-shaped connection part formed at the upper end of the lower structure, a tapered cylindrical skirt part formed at the lower end of the upper structure and covering the outside of the connection part, a seal member that seals the entire circumference of the lower end of the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt part and the outer peripheral surface of the connection part, and a filler filled in the gap, and the skirt part and the connection part are connected via the filler.

[0014] The feature of the invention according to claim 2 is that, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, a large number of shear reinforcing members project from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt part.

[0015] The feature of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in addition to the configuration of claim 1 or 2, a plurality of openings for projecting shear reinforcing members penetrating inside and outside are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction in the connection part, and shear reinforcing members project from the openings for projecting shear reinforcing members, and the openings for projecting shear reinforcing members are closed by a closing plate to which the base ends of the shear reinforcing members are fixed.

[0016] The feature of the invention according to claim 4 is in the method of assembling a tower structure that connects a tower-shaped upper structure to the upper end of a cylindrical lower structure. In this method, a tapered skirt portion formed at the lower end of the upper structure is placed over a frustum-shaped connection portion formed at the upper end of the lower structure. A seal member fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion or the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion and the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion to seal the entire circumference of the lower end of the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion and the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion. Thereafter, a filler is filled into the gap to fix the lower structure and the upper structure to each other.

[0017] The feature of the invention according to claim 5 is, in addition to the configuration of claim 4, that a number of shear reinforcement members are provided protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion. By placing the skirt portion over the outside of the connection portion, the shear reinforcement members are arranged in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion and the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion.

[0018] The feature of the invention according to claim 6 is, in addition to the configuration of claim 4 or 5, that a plurality of openings for protruding shear reinforcement members that penetrate the inner and outer sides are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion. After placing the skirt portion over the outside of the connection portion, a shear reinforcement member whose base end is fixed to a closing plate is inserted through the opening for protruding the shear reinforcement member, causing the shear reinforcement material to protrude into the gap. Then, the opening for protruding the shear reinforcement member is closed with the closing plate, and thereafter, a filler is filled into the gap.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The tower connection structure of the tower structure according to the present invention, by having the configuration described in claim 1, does not require complicated bolt hole alignment and bolt fastening operations, and is also less affected by sway. Therefore, even in waters where the influence of waves and wind is large, the upper structure and the lower structure of the tower structure can be efficiently connected.

[0020] In the present invention, by providing the configuration according to claims 2 to 3, the adhesion strength between the filler and the upper structure or the lower structure through the shear reinforcing material is improved, and the upper structure and the lower structure can be firmly connected.

[0021] The method for assembling a tower-type structure according to the present invention, by providing the configuration according to claim 4, does not require complicated bolt hole alignment and bolt fastening operations, and is also less affected by shaking. Therefore, even in a water area where the influence of waves and wind is large, the upper structure and the lower structure of the tower-type structure can be efficiently connected.

[0022] In the present invention, by providing the configuration according to claim 5, the adhesion strength between the filler and the upper structure is improved by the shear reinforcing member, and the upper structure and the lower structure can be firmly connected.

[0023] Furthermore, in the present invention, by providing the configuration according to claim 6, the fitting operation between the upper structure and the lower structure is not hindered, and after fitting, the shear reinforcing member can be arranged in the gap between the upper structure and the lower structure. The adhesion strength between the filler and the lower structure is improved by the shear reinforcing member, and the upper structure and the lower structure can be firmly connected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Next, an embodiment of the tower connection structure of the tower structure according to the present invention will be described based on the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0026] In this embodiment, an offshore wind power generation device is taken as an example of the tower structure, where reference numeral 10 denotes the offshore wind power generation device and reference numeral 11 denotes the water surface. Note that the same components as those in the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0027] The offshore wind power generation device 10 includes a cylindrical lower structure 12 installed with its upper end protruding above the water, and a tower-shaped upper structure 13 whose lower end is connected to the upper end of the lower structure 12. Wind power generation equipment 4 including a windmill (nacelle·rotor) etc. is supported at the upper end of the upper structure 13.

[0028] The structure for connecting the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 (hereinafter referred to as the tower connection structure of the tower structure) includes a frustum-shaped connection part 14 formed at the upper end of the lower structure 12, and a tapered cylindrical skirt part 15 formed at the lower end of the upper structure 13. The skirt part 15 of the upper structure 13 covers the outside of the connection part 14 of the lower structure 12, and the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 are fitted together.

[0029] Further, this tower connection structure of the tower structure includes a seal member 16 that seals the entire circumference of the lower end of the gap 18 between the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the connection part 14, and a filling material 17 filled in the gap 18 between the inner circumferential surface of the connection part 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the skirt part 15. The skirt part 15 and the connection part 14 are connected via the filling material 17, and the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 are firmly fixed together.

[0030] The lower structure 12 includes a frustum-shaped cylindrical connection part 14 integrally formed at the upper end of the cylindrical main body part. For example, in the case of a floating type, it is composed of a spar type floating part that stands upright and floats with its upper part protruding above the water, and in the case of a fixed type, it is composed of a monopile etc. erected on the seabed surface.

[0031] The mode of the lower structure 12 only needs to include a frustum-shaped cylindrical connection part 14 integrally formed at the upper end of the main body part 18 to which the upper structure 13 is joined. In the floating body type, in addition to the above-mentioned spar type, it may also be of the pontoon type, semi-submersible type, or TLP type. In the fixed type, in addition to the monopile type, it may also be of the tripod type, jacket type, etc.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection part 14 is formed in a frustum-shaped cylindrical shape (in this embodiment, a frustum-shaped circular cylindrical shape) whose horizontal cross-section becomes smaller upward, and a skirt part 15 is covered from the outside thereof to fit the shape of the connection part 14 formed at the lower end part of the upper structure 13. Note that the connection part 14 is not necessarily limited to the frustum-shaped cylindrical shape, and may be frustum-shaped.

[0033] Also, it is desirable that the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 have the same type of horizontal cross-sectional shape, such as being cylindrical. For the connection part 14 and the skirt part 15, it is desirable to have a shape that matches the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13. For example, when the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 are cylindrical with a circular horizontal cross-section, the connection part 14 and the skirt part 15 are made frustum-shaped accordingly. When the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 are polygonal cylindrical with a polygonal horizontal cross-section, it is desirable to make the connection part 14 and the skirt part 15 polygonal frustum-shaped accordingly.

[0034] An annular stopper member 19 made of steel or the like that protrudes radially at a predetermined height position on the outer peripheral surface is fixed to the connection part 14 by welding or the like, and the lower end surface of the skirt part 15 of the upper structure 13 is abutted against the upper surface of this stopper member 19 for positioning.

[0035] Note that the stopper member 19 is not limited to the above-mentioned annular shape, and a plurality of stopper members 19, 19 may be provided to project at intervals in the circumferential direction of the connection part 14.

[0036] In addition, a plurality of long-hole-shaped shear reinforcement member protruding openings 20, 20... penetrating the inside and outside are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction in this connection part 14, and a plurality of shear reinforcement members 21, 21... arranged in a row are made to protrude through one shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20.

[0037] Each shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20, 20... has the longitudinal direction of the long hole directed in the inclination direction of the connection part 14 and is arranged at a predetermined interval (predetermined angle) in the circumferential direction.

[0038] Note that the form of the shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20 is not limited to the long-hole shape, and as shown in FIG. 4, it may be rectangular. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of round-hole-shaped shear reinforcement member protruding holes 22, 22... are arranged in a row at intervals in the inclination direction of the connection part 14, and each shear reinforcement member 21 may protrude through each shear reinforcement member protruding hole 22, 22.... In that case, each shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20 formed by arranging a plurality of shear reinforcement member protruding holes 20, 20... in a row along the inclination direction of the connection part 14 is arranged at a predetermined interval (predetermined angle) in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The shear reinforcement members 21, 21... are not particularly limited, but mainly bar materials such as studs, headed studs, bolts, reinforcing bars, and headed reinforcing bars are used.

[0040] Each of the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... has its base end fixed in a row to a closing plate 23 made of a steel plate or the like at a predetermined interval from each other.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the closing plate 23 desirably has a width in the vertical and horizontal directions larger than the width in the vertical and horizontal directions of the opening surface of the shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20, and is provided with overlapping portions (fixing margins) 28, 28... for fixing by welding or the like, and can be curved or bent so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection part 14.

[0042] Then, a plurality of shear reinforcement members 21, 21... are protruded from the openings 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement members from the inside of the connecting portion 14, and the closing plate 23 is fixed by welding or the like in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14. As a result, each of the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... is fixed in a state of protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14, and the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member is closed from the inside of the connecting portion 14 by the closing plate 23.

[0043] Also, it is not limited to closing the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member with one closing plate 23 for each opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member. As shown in FIG. 5, one closing plate 23 may be used to close a plurality of openings 20, 20... for protruding the shear reinforcement member.

[0044] In addition, although it has been described above that it is desirable that the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the closing plate 23 are larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member is surrounded in advance on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14 where the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member is provided, and a plate-shaped or frame-shaped backing member 29 is fixed by welding or the like so as to project inside the opening edge portion. The closing plate 23 is fitted into the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member, the peripheral edge of the closing plate 23 is brought into contact with the backing member 29, and in that state, the closing plate 23 and the peripheral edge portion of the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member are welded to close the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a welded portion.

[0045] In this case, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the closing plate 23 are smaller than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member so that it can be fitted into the opening 20 for protruding the shear reinforcement member.

[0046] The upper structure 13 is formed in a cylindrical or tapered cylindrical tower shape, and a tapered cylindrical skirt portion 15 formed at the lower end portion is adapted to cover the connecting portion 14.

[0047] The skirt portion 15 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape with the same inclination as the connecting portion 14 and a horizontal cross-section having a larger diameter than that of the connecting portion 14 and becoming smaller upward. By covering the connecting portion 14, a gap 18 with a predetermined width is formed over the entire circumference between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14.

[0048] An annular seal member 16 is fixed to the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15. By covering the connecting portion 14 with the skirt portion 15, the seal member 16 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14, and the entire circumference of the lower end portion of the gap 18 between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14 is sealed.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the seal member 16 is formed in an annular shape by an elastic member having water-stopping properties such as rubber or synthetic resin, and flange portions 16a, 16a integrally formed on the upper and lower side edges can be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 by fixing members 24, 24 such as bolts.

[0050] The inner diameter of the annular seal member 16 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower end portion of the connecting portion 14 (the outer diameter of the connecting portion 14 at the upper surface position of the stopper member 19, which is the position for sealing the entire circumference of the lower end portion of the gap 18), and is substantially the same as the outer diameter at a predetermined height higher than the lower end portion of the connecting portion 14.

[0051] Then, the seal member 16 descends together with the skirt portion 15. After the inner peripheral portion contacts the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14 at a predetermined height higher than the lower end portion, it is compressed in the radial direction. Thus, the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14 receive an equal reaction force from the seal member 16 through the seal member 16, thereby absorbing the horizontal displacement between the upper structure 13 (skirt portion 15) and the lower structure 12 (connecting portion 14) and adjusting so that the central axis positions coincide.

[0052] Incidentally, the seal member 16 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface at the lower end of the connecting portion 14.

[0053] Further, a number of shear reinforcing members 25, 25... are protrudingly provided on the inner peripheral surface above the seal member 16 of the skirt portion 15. When the skirt portion 15 is placed over the connection portion 14, each of the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... is arranged in the gap 18 between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14.

[0054] Each of the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... is not particularly limited, but mainly bar materials such as studs, headed studs, bolts, reinforcing bars, headed reinforcing bars, etc. are used.

[0055] The protruding height of each of the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... is formed to be lower than the radial height of the seal member 16 (the protruding height when the seal member 16 facing inward from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 comes into contact with and is compressed by the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14).

[0056] Each of the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... is arranged in a row at intervals along the inclined direction of the skirt portion 15, and the rows of the shear reinforcing members 26 are arranged at a predetermined interval (predetermined angle) in the circumferential direction.

[0057] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, regarding the positional relationship between the shear reinforcing members 21, 21... of the connection portion 14 and the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... of the skirt portion 15, the rows of the shear reinforcing members 26 of the skirt portion 15 and the rows of the shear reinforcing members 26 of the connection portion 14 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction, and the shear reinforcing members 21, 21... constituting the row of the shear reinforcing members of the connection portion 14 are arranged between the shear reinforcing members 25, 25... constituting the row of the shear reinforcing members of the skirt portion 15. It is desirable to determine the number and installation positions of the shear reinforcing members 21, 21... and the shear reinforcing bars 25, 25... by analysis or the like.

[0058] In this case, after the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15 are fitted together so as not to hinder the fitting operation of the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15, the shear reinforcing members 21, 21... are provided in the shear reinforcing member protruding opening 20 of the closing plate 23 in which the shear reinforcing members 21, 21... are fixedly arranged in a row, and the closing plate 23 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion 14 or the like by welding or the like.

[0059] Furthermore, the positional relationship between the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... of the connection part 14 and the shear reinforcement members 25, 25... of the skirt part 15 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a shear reinforcement member row composed of the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... of the connection part 14 and a shear reinforcement member row 26 composed of the shear reinforcement members 25, 25... of the skirt part 15 may be arranged such that they are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0060] For the filler 17, for example, non-shrinking mortar is used, which is filled into the gap 18 between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt part 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connection part 14 and hardened, so that the upper structure 13 and the lower structure 12 are firmly fixed to each other via this filler 17.

[0061] Next, a specific method for assembling a tower-shaped structure using the tower part connection structure of the tower-shaped structure configured as described above will be described based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 15. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0062] First, as preliminary preparation, a large number of shear reinforcement members 25, 25... are fixed to the skirt part 15 in a predetermined arrangement on the upper structure 13, and the seal member 16 is fixed to the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt part 15.

[0063] On the other hand, on the lower structure 12, openings 20, 20... for protruding the shear reinforcement members are formed at predetermined positions, and the stopper member 19 is fixed at a predetermined height position on the outer peripheral surface of the connection part 14. Further, the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... of the connection part 14 are only fixed to the closing plate 23 in a predetermined arrangement and are kept separated from the connection part 14 at the present stage.

[0064] Next, the lower structure 12, the upper structure 13, and necessary members are transported to the installation water area, and the actual assembly work is started.

[0065] This assembly work first involves installing and stabilizing the lower structure 12 by a well-known method according to either a floating or a fixed-on-seabed type, and then, as shown in Fig. 9, suspending the upper structure 13 from a crane 8 such as a crane ship and moving it above the installed lower structure 12.

[0066] Next, lower the upper structure 13 suspended from the crane 8, cover the skirt portion 15 of the upper structure 13 on the connection portion 14 of the lower structure 12, and fit the skirt portion 15 outside the connection portion 14.

[0067] At this time, as shown in Fig. 10, since the connection portion 14 is formed in a frustum-shaped cylindrical form with a reduced diameter at the upper end side and the skirt portion 15 is formed in a tapered cylindrical form with a wider lower end side, at the introduction position portion, the lower end opening of the skirt portion 15 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the upper end portion of the connection portion 14, and even when there is a horizontal deviation in the central axis position between the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13, the skirt portion 15 can be easily introduced into the connection portion 14.

[0068] Also, when the skirt portion 15 descends to a predetermined height with respect to the connection portion 14, as shown in Fig. 11, the inner peripheral portion of the seal member 16 fixed to the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14. Further, when the upper structure 13 descends while compressing the seal member 16 in the radial direction, as shown in Fig. 12, the lower end abuts against the stopper member 19 and is positioned in the height direction.

[0069] At this time, the seal member 16 made of an elastic member fixed to the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 comes into contact with and is compressed by the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14, so that the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14 receive equal reaction forces from the seal member 16 through the seal member 16. Thereby, the horizontal displacement between the upper structure 13 (skirt portion 15) and the lower structure 12 (connection portion 14) is absorbed, and the central axis positions are adjusted to coincide.

[0070] Further, since the protruding height of the shear reinforcement members 25, 25... protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15 is lower than the protruding height of the seal member 16 in a compressed state from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15, the shear reinforcement members 25, 25... do not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 14 during the fitting operation.

[0071] Next, when the fitting of the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15 is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, the shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20 is closed with the closing plate 23 to which the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... are fixedly arranged in a row, and the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... fixed to the closing plate 23 from the inside of the connection portion 14 are passed through the shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20, and the closing plate 23 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion 14 by welding or the like in a state of being in close contact therewith.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 14, the shear reinforcement members 21, 21... protrude from the shear reinforcement member protruding opening 20 into the gap 18 between the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15, and are inserted between the shear reinforcement members 25, 25... protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 15.

[0073] Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the gap 18 between the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15, the lower end of which is entirely closed by the seal member 16, is filled with a filler 17 such as non-shrinking mortar, and the filler 17 is cured and hardened, whereby the connection portion 14 and the skirt portion 15 are firmly fixed, and the upper structure 13 is connected to the lower structure 12.

[0074] Incidentally, the filler 17 such as non-shrinking mortar to be used may be transported in a state of being accommodated in the upper structure 13.

[0075] Also, when curing and hardening the filler 17, as shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of wedge-shaped temporary fixing members 27 are driven into the gap 18 between the upper end inner peripheral portion of the skirt portion 15 and the connection portion 14 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and temporarily fixed, whereby the upper structure 13 can be released from the suspended state by the crane 8 without waiting for the curing of the filler 17, and accordingly, the construction period can be shortened and the construction cost can be reduced.

[0076] The tower connection structure and assembly method of the tower-shaped structure configured as described above do not require alignment of the positions of a large number of bolt holes and bolt fastening work like conventional flange joints, and even in waters vulnerable to the influence of wind and waves, the upper structure 13 and the lower structure 12 can be efficiently connected.

[0077] That is, by calculating the amount of sway of the lower structure 12 and the upper structure 13 assuming the meteorological and sea conditions at the time of installing the offshore wind power generation device 10 as external forces, and performing work accordingly, the number of work suspension days due to meteorological and sea conditions can be significantly reduced, and accordingly, the construction period can be shortened and the construction cost can be reduced.

[0078] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the offshore wind power generation device 10 has been described as an example, but the form of the tower-shaped structure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can also be applied to onshore structures.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 10 Offshore wind power generation device (tower-shaped structure) 11 Water surface 12 Lower structure 13 Upper structure 14 Connection part 15 Skirt part 16 Sealing member 17 Filling material 18 Gap 19 Stopper member 20 Opening for protruding shear reinforcement member 21 Shear reinforcement member 22 Shear reinforcement member protruding hole 23 Closing plate 24 Fixing member 25 Shear reinforcement member 26 Shear reinforcement member row 27 Temporary fixing member 28 Overlapping part 29 Backing member 30 Welded part

Claims

1. In a tower connection structure of a tower-shaped structure in which a cylindrical lower structure and a tower-shaped upper structure are connected, a frustoconical connection part formed at the upper end of the lower structure, a tapered cylindrical skirt part formed at the lower end of the upper structure and covering the outside of the connection part, a sealing member for sealing the entire circumference of the lower end of the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part and the outer circumferential surface of the connection part, and a filler filled in the gap, A tower connection structure of a tower-shaped structure, characterized in that the skirt part and the connection part are connected via the filler.

2. The tower connection structure of the tower-shaped structure according to claim 1, wherein a number of shear reinforcement members project from the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part.

3. A plurality of openings for projecting shear reinforcement members penetrating inside and outside are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction in the connection part, The tower connection structure of the tower-shaped structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shear reinforcement member projects from the opening for projecting the shear reinforcement member, and the opening for projecting the shear reinforcement member is closed by a closing plate to which the base end of the shear reinforcement member is fixed.

4. In a method for assembling a tower-shaped structure for connecting a tower-shaped upper structure to the upper end of a cylindrical lower structure, Cover the tapered cylindrical skirt part formed at the lower end of the upper structure on the frustoconical connection part formed at the upper end of the lower structure, and sandwich the sealing member fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part or the outer circumferential surface of the connection part between the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part and the outer circumferential surface of the connection part to seal the entire circumference of the lower end of the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part and the outer circumferential surface of the connection part, Thereafter, a filler is filled in the gap, and the lower structure and the upper structure are fixed. A method for assembling a tower-shaped structure, characterized by this.

5. A number of shear reinforcement members project from the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part, and the shear reinforcement members are arranged in the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the skirt part and the outer circumferential surface of the connection part by covering the skirt part outside the connection part. The method for assembling a tower-shaped structure according to claim 4.

6. A plurality of openings for projecting shear reinforcement members penetrating inside and outside are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the connection part, After covering the skirt part outside the connection part, insert a shear reinforcement member whose base end is fixed to a closing plate into the opening for projecting the shear reinforcement member, project the shear reinforcement member into the gap, and close the opening for projecting the shear reinforcement member with the closing plate. The method for assembling a tower-shaped structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein after that, a filler is filled into the gap.

Citation Information

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