Wind power generation tower structure and method for repairing wind power generation tower structure

Abstract

To provide a wind power generation tower structure and a repair method for the wind power generation tower structure, which can increase the height of a wind power generation device from the ground, and can selectively repair any part as needed in a very simple process, and can be used for a long period at low cost. [Solution] A wind power generation tower structure 900 comprises a substructure 10 fixed to the ground, and a steel superstructure 700 joined above the substructure 10 and having a wind power generation device 903 placed on top. The substructure 10 is a concrete structure made up of multiple segments, at least some of which are segments 1. Segment 1 does not have any tension members passing through it and can be removed from other adjacent structures.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind power tower structure and a method for repairing a wind power tower structure. [Background technology]

[0002] In wind turbines used for wind power generation, the wind power generation equipment (the rotor formed by the hub and blades, and the nacelle that houses the generator) is installed near the top of the tower structure. Generally, the wind blowing near the ground surface used for wind power generation increases in speed the higher the altitude, so in order to receive fast winds and obtain large power output, it is desirable to make the height of the hub above the ground (hereinafter simply referred to as "hub height") as high as possible. Increasing the hub height also makes it possible to increase the rotor diameter, which allows a wider area to receive wind and further increase power output.

[0003] As a tower structure that can increase the hub height, for example, there is a technology in which the lower part of the tower structure is constructed from an approximately cylindrical concrete structure made of prestressed concrete or the like, and a conventional steel tower or the like is installed on top of the concrete structure to create a hybrid structure (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7012981 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4850151 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, the service life of a wind turbine for wind power generation is estimated to be about 20 years. This number is estimated taking into account the parts and areas that are most susceptible to deterioration, such as the useful life of the generator and the fatigue life of the upper end of the tower structure that supports the rotor while being exposed to strong winds.

[0006] On the other hand, in structures in which a steel tower is installed on top of a roughly cylindrical concrete structure, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the concrete structure below the tower structure can be expected to have a long design life of approximately 50 years or more in most parts, similar to that of a typical concrete structure. Therefore, if it were possible to leave and reuse the concrete structure below the tower structure after a 20-year service life of the wind turbine after its construction, and only replace the upper steel tower and the wind power generation equipment mounted on it, this would be desirable as it would enable the wind turbine to operate for a long period of time at low cost.

[0007] In contrast, the concrete structures at the bottom of the wind turbine tower structures in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are subject to specific deterioration, albeit in very limited areas, due to their intended use, posing challenges for reliable and safe use over the long term. For example, the portion near the top of the concrete structure is close to the connection point of the steel tower, which vibrates intermittently in the wind, and there is a risk that the vibrations will cause rapid localized deterioration of the concrete. Furthermore, the portion near the bottom of the concrete structure is prone to stress concentration, as it is close to the connection point between the tower structure, which is subject to displacement and deformation due to various external forces, and the underground foundation, which is firmly fixed to the ground, in addition to being subjected to a large bending moment, and also has the potential to cause rapid localized deterioration of the concrete.

[0008] In addition, depending on the shape of the tower structure and the location environment of the wind turbine, there is a risk of localized deterioration or damage occurring in parts of the concrete structure. Areas that are likely to experience such deterioration or damage can be predicted using simulations, etc.

[0009] However, the concrete structure below the conventional tower structure described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is integrally formed using prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, or the like. Therefore, even in cases where deterioration or damage is a concern only in a small portion of the concrete structure and there are no problems in other portions, as described above, there is no way to efficiently repair only that portion. As a result, the only option is to completely remove the entire wind turbine and rebuild it, which makes it difficult to keep costs down.

[0010] This problem can also occur with wind turbines in operation, and if deterioration or damage occurs over the 20-year service life, the economic viability will decrease even further. For this reason, a new tower structure is needed that allows selective repair of any part as needed using a very simple process.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a wind power generation tower structure and a repair method for a wind power generation tower structure that can increase the height of a wind power generation equipment from the ground, allow any part to be selectively repaired as needed using a very simple process, and can be used for a long period of time at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention is a tower structure for wind power generation, comprising a substructure fixed to the ground and a steel superstructure joined above the substructure and on top of which a wind power generation device is placed, the substructure being a concrete structure made up of a plurality of segments, and at least some of the segments do not have penetrating tension members and can be removed from other adjacent structures.

[0013] The second invention is a tower structure for wind power generation, comprising a substructure fixed to the ground and a steel superstructure joined above the substructure and on top of which a wind power generation device is placed, the substructure being a concrete structure made up of a plurality of segments, at least some of the segments having tensioning members disposed therein that pass only through the segment and are fixed to another adjacent structure, and the segment can be removed from the other adjacent structure by removing the tensioning members.

[0014] The removable segments are preferably provided at least on the upper part of the lower structure or the lower part of the lower structure, or both, and a tensioning member is preferably passed through and integrated between multiple segments near the center of the height direction.

[0015] It is desirable that a recess be provided on the inner surface of another structure that is disposed across the removable segment.

[0016] The lower structure may have a plurality of pillars each made up of a plurality of the segments, and connecting members provided on the pillars so as to connect adjacent pillars to each other.

[0017] It is desirable that the connecting member includes brace members arranged between the support columns so as to cross each other, and that a hysteresis damper be arranged near the intersection of the brace members.

[0018] An outer shell member is provided on the outer periphery of the lower structure so as to cover the lower structure, and it is desirable that the outer shell member be divided into multiple parts in the vertical direction, and that some of the outer shell members be removable.

[0019] A separate pile may be driven into the ground for each of the support columns, and one support column may be joined to one of the piles.

[0020] According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the superstructure is placed above the substructure, the height of the wind turbine generator from the ground can be easily increased with a simple configuration, thereby increasing the power output of the wind turbine. In addition, at least some of the segments of the substructure do not have tension members penetrating them and can be removed from other structures, such as adjacent segments, making it easy to selectively repair only any part of the substructure. This allows for safe long-term use of the substructure and reduces costs.

[0021] According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the superstructure is placed above the substructure, the height of the wind turbine generator from the ground can be easily increased with a simple configuration, thereby increasing the power output of the wind turbine. In addition, at least some of the segments of the substructure have tension members that penetrate only those segments and are fixed to other structures such as adjacent segments. Therefore, the target segment can be selectively removed simply by removing the tension members, and only any part of the substructure can be selectively repaired easily. This allows for safe long-term use of the substructure and reduces costs.

[0022] Furthermore, if removable segments are provided at least in the upper and / or lower sections of the substructure, it becomes possible to easily carry out partial repairs in areas of the substructure that are relatively prone to deterioration and are likely to require repair. On the other hand, if multiple segments are integrated with tension members penetrating them near the center of the height direction, which is another area, they can be constructed all at once using standard construction methods, significantly reducing the number of man-hours required to construct the substructure.

[0023] Furthermore, if a recess is provided on the inner surface of another structure, such as another segment, that is arranged across the removable segment, this can be used as a work space for installing or removing a joining member that joins adjacent segments, allowing for efficient removal of any segment. Furthermore, when removing a specific segment, if a holding jig or the like is placed in the recess of the other structure that sandwiches the segment, it can bear the load on behalf of the other structure, allowing for safe and smooth segment removal.

[0024] Furthermore, if the substructure is a column structure with multiple columns and connecting members that connect adjacent columns, the amount of materials such as concrete used can be reduced, resulting in lower costs.Furthermore, if the columns are composed of multiple segments and any segment can be selectively removed from the columns, partial repair of the substructure is possible, allowing the substructure to be used safely for a long period of time and reducing total costs.

[0025] Furthermore, by arranging braces between the supports so that they intersect with each other and providing hysteretic dampers near the intersections of the braces, the structure can exhibit excellent seismic control performance against large earthquakes, despite its simple structure. Furthermore, even in the event of a large earthquake, fatal damage is unlikely to occur to anything other than the hysteretic dampers, and seismic control performance can be easily restored by simply replacing the hysteretic dampers, making it particularly easy to maintain.

[0026] Furthermore, if a shell member is provided around the outer periphery of the lower structure, which is made of a braided column structure, to cover the lower structure, a protective wall can be formed to protect the inside of the lower structure from the external environment with a very simple and lightweight configuration. Furthermore, if the shell member is divided into multiple parts in the vertical direction and any outer shell member can be selectively removed, it is efficient because only the outer shell member corresponding to the section of the support column that needs repair can be removed.

[0027] Furthermore, if separate piles are driven into each support pillar and each pile is joined to a single support pillar, the process is simplified and material costs are reduced compared to a typical footing foundation. In this case, if the piles are connected with underground beams, the cross-sectional force acting on the pillars is reduced, resulting in high seismic resistance.

[0028] The third invention is a method for repairing a wind power tower structure according to the first or second invention, comprising the steps of: disconnecting the connection between the removable segment and the structure arranged on either side of the segment; placing a jack across the segment to be removed and applying force in a direction to spread it apart; removing the segment to be removed by pushing it outward from the inner surface of the substructure; pushing a new segment into the position of the removed segment; and joining the new segment to the structure arranged on either side of the segment.

[0029] Above the lower structure, after the upper structure is removed, the segment can be removed from above and replaced with a new segment, and below the lower structure, the jack can be used to push the segment to be removed from the inside and remove it, and a new segment can be pushed into that location from the outside and placed there.

[0030] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connection between the segment to be removed and the other segments and other structures disposed between them is selectively released, and after removing only the segment to be removed, a new segment is pushed into the same location and rejoined, thereby enabling partial repair of the substructure without affecting other parts. This means that the method can be applied to wind turbines in operation, significantly reducing the total cost of the wind turbine.

[0031] Furthermore, after removing the superstructure and other parts above the substructure, the uppermost segment can be removed from above by disconnecting the necessary connections. This eliminates the need for large jigs such as jacks to support the load, and allows the segments to be removed or replaced safely with minimal work space and effort. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the height of a wind power generation equipment from the ground and, if necessary, to selectively repair any part using a very simple process, thereby providing a wind power generation tower structure that can be used for a long period of time at low cost, and a repair method for a wind power generation tower structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a wind turbine equipped with a wind power generation tower structure 900 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Enlarged view of A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a view of the segment 1 viewed in the direction D in FIG. 3(b), and FIG. 4(b) is a view showing the EE cross section of FIG. 3(b) and the FF cross section of FIG. 4(a). [Figure 5] These are diagrams explaining a repair method for a wind power generation tower structure 900, where (a) is a diagram explaining the process of placing a jack 17 across the segment 1 to be removed and applying force in a direction to push it apart, and (b) is a diagram explaining the process of pushing the segment 1 to be removed outward from the inner side of the substructure 10 to remove it. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a repair method for a wind power tower structure 900, in which (a) illustrates the process of pushing a new segment 1 into the position of the removed segment 1, and (b) illustrates the process of joining the new segment 1 to the structure that will be placed across the segment. [Figure 7]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another repair method for a wind power tower structure 900, in which (a) is a diagram showing the vicinity of the upper end of the lower structure 10 after the upper structure 700 has been removed, (b) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the top member 800, (c) is a diagram illustrating the process of disconnecting the connection between the uppermost segment 1 and the segment 1 adjacent to it below, and (d) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the uppermost segment 1 from above. [Figure 8] 8(a) is a diagram for explaining the lower structure 10a, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] 9(a) is a diagram for explaining the lower structure 10b, and FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH of FIG. 9(a). [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the lower structure 10c. [Figure 11] 11(a) is a front view of a lower structure 10d of a wind power generation tower structure 900 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 11(a). [Figure 12] View from line JJ in Figure 11(b). [Figure 13] KK cross section of Figure 11(b). [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a lower structure 10d. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] [First embodiment] (Wind Power Tower Structure 900) 1 is a front view of a wind turbine equipped with a wind power generation tower structure 900 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wind power generation tower structure 900 comprises a substructure 10 and a superstructure 700 joined to the upper part of the substructure 10. The substructure 10 is joined to a foundation 907 in the ground 905 and is fixed to the ground 905 via the foundation 907. The foundation 907 is, for example, a footing foundation.

[0036] The superstructure 700 is, for example, a steel tower, and a wind power generation device 903 is placed on top of it. The wind power generation device 903 consists of a rotor formed by a hub and blades, and a nacelle that houses the generator. The superstructure 700 has a flange 703 at its lower end. In addition, a top member 800 is placed between the superstructure 700 and the substructure 10, and the lower end (flange 703) of the superstructure 700 and the upper end of the substructure 10 are joined to the top member 800.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. First, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, the upper structure 700 is a cylindrical tower or the like, and has a hollow space 705 inside. A communication hole 803 is formed in the top member 800, and this communication hole 803 communicates with the hollow space 705. Furthermore, as will be described later, the communication hole 803 also communicates with the hollow space inside the substructure 10. These connected internal spaces can easily accommodate elevators and other devices, which is useful for efficient maintenance and inspection of the wind turbine. In FIG. 2, the vicinity of the upper end of the top member 800 (near the part where it joins with the upper structure 700) juts out toward the center, and the inner diameter of the top member 800 (i.e., the diameter of the communication hole 803) is smaller than the hollow space inside the substructure 10.

[0038] (Substructure 10) Next, the substructure 10 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The substructure 10 is a concrete structure and is composed of multiple segments 1 or 3. The segments 1 or 3 are made primarily of concrete and are similar to general concrete segments used in shield tunnels, etc., and can be manufactured using common techniques in a relatively simple process. Details of the segments 1 and 3 will be described later.

[0039] Removable sections 101 and 105 are provided in predetermined ranges at the top and bottom of the lower structure 10. Furthermore, an intermediate section 103 is provided in a predetermined range near the center of the height of the lower structure 10, between the removable sections 101 and 105. In other words, the lower structure 10 is made up of, from bottom to top, the removable section 105, the intermediate section 103, and the removable section 101. Note that the number of segments 1 and 3 arranged in the height and horizontal directions shown in Figure 2 is merely an example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0040] The intermediate section 103 is composed of a plurality of segments 3. Each segment 3 has a through-hole formed therein that communicates with the others vertically, and tensioning members 33 are disposed in the through-holes, with the ends of the tensioning members 33 fixed in a tensioned state.

[0041] Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2, showing a cross-section of segment 3 (middle section 103). Segment 3 is provided with a through-hole 31 that passes through segment 3 in the height direction, and a tensioning member 33 is inserted into this through-hole 31. If appropriate, the void in the through-hole 31 may be filled with grout or the like. The interior of the lower structure 10 is a hollow section 7, which communicates with the cavity 705 of the upper structure 700 via the communication hole 803 of the top member 800 (see Figure 2).

[0042] In this way, the multiple segments 3 in the intermediate section 103 are integrated together by the tensioning members 33 passing through them in the vertical direction, applying prestress. Although not shown in the figure, the tensioning members 33 may also be arranged in the horizontal direction, and the segments 3 may be integrated together in the horizontal direction in the same way.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the removable section 101 and the removable section 105 each comprise a plurality of segments 1. Unlike the segments 3 of the intermediate section 103, the segments 1 do not have tensioning members disposed therethrough. In other words, each segment 1 of the removable section 101 and the removable section 105 can be removed from other structures, such as adjacent segments 1, without removing the tensioning members 33.

[0044] In this way, in the substructure 10, the areas close to the superstructure 700 and foundation 907 that are likely to accumulate damage and require repair (e.g., the upper and lower parts) are made into removable parts 101, 105, and each segment 1 can be removed from other adjacent structures, facilitating repairs. Furthermore, other areas that are unlikely to require repair (e.g., near the center in the height direction) are made into intermediate parts 103, and are integrated using tension members 33, allowing the substructure 10 to be constructed efficiently. Note that only the removable part 101 may be provided in the upper part of the substructure 10, or only the removable part 105 may be provided in the lower part.

[0045] Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 2, showing a cross section at the position of the recess 11 of the segment 1. Figure 4(a) is a view of the segment 1 as seen in the direction D in Figure 3(b), showing the inner surface of the segment 1 (removable parts 101, 105). A recess 11 is provided at a predetermined position on the inner surface side (hollow section 7 side) of the segment 1. A connecting member 9 is placed in the recess 11. The connecting member 9 is, for example, a bolt 91 and a nut 93. The recess 11 is open and connected to the hollow section 7, allowing work inside the recess 11 to be easily performed from the hollow section 7 (i.e., the inside of the substructure 10).

[0046] The multiple segments 1 are adjacent to one another in the horizontal and vertical directions, and each segment 1 has a recess 11 at a predetermined position a predetermined distance from its vertical and horizontal edges. As described above, the recess 11 is open to and connected to the interior of the lower structure 10. As shown in the enlarged view within the dotted line frame in Figure 4(a), the recesses 11 of adjacent segments 1 are arranged at corresponding positions across the edges of the segment 1.

[0047] Between the corresponding pairs of recesses 11, holes 13 are provided at predetermined positions so as to connect between the two adjacent segments 1. Bolts 91 are inserted into the holes 13, and nuts 93 are fastened from both ends of the bolts 91 to the walls of the recesses 11, thereby fixing the bolts 91 in place. In this way, the bolts 91 and nuts 93 function as joining members 9, joining the adjacent segments 1 together. The joining members 9 are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and join the adjacent segments 1 in each direction.

[0048] In addition, the connecting members 9 can be removed as needed by a simple operation from inside the substructure 10. That is, the connecting member 9 to be removed is selected, and the nuts 93 are loosened and removed in the recesses 11, and the bolts 91 are removed. In this way, by removing the connecting members 9 as appropriate, it is possible to selectively remove any one segment 1 without affecting the other adjacent segments 1 at all.

[0049] Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing the EE cross section of Figure 3(b) and the FF cross section of Figure 4(a). As described above, the recess 11 is provided on the inner surface of the segment 1 and is open to and connected to the hollow portion 7, making it possible to perform work through the hollow portion 7. In addition, a threaded hole 15 having a thread groove is formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the segment 1. As will be described later, the threaded hole 15 is used to place a jig that holds the segment 1 when the segment 1 to be removed is removed from the substructure 10.

[0050] 4(a) and 4(b) show, as an example for explanation, a region where only the segments 1 are adjacent to each other at approximately the center in the height direction of the removable portions 101 and 105 (see FIG. 2). However, for the segment 1 located at the bottom end of the removable portion 101 (or the top end of the removable portion 105), the adjacent segment 3 directly below (or directly above) it has a recess 11 similar to that described above formed in a corresponding vertical position, and a joining member 9 is disposed therein. The positions and number of the recesses 11 in each segment 1, and the positions and number of the bolts 91 and nuts 93 in each recess 11 shown in FIGS. 3(b), 4(a), and 4(b) are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate. While FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 show an example in which adjacent segments 1 or segments 3 are staggered in the height direction, with a half offset, the segments may be offset in a different manner, or may not be offset at all.

[0051] Furthermore, in the configuration described above, the removable sections 101, 105 have multiple vertically arranged segments 1, as shown in Figure 2, but they may have only one uppermost and one lowermost tier. Also, while the intermediate section 103 is provided between the removable sections 101, 105, this is not limiting. It is also possible to omit the intermediate section 103 and have the entire substructure 10 be the removable section 101 (105), allowing any segment 1 to be selectively removed at any location. Furthermore, the intermediate section 103 may not be constructed of precast segments as described above, but may be constructed integrally in advance using cast-in-place concrete. Furthermore, if it is not necessary for structural performance, the intermediate section 103 may be a reinforced concrete structure without using tension members.

[0052] (Method of repairing substructure 10) Next, a method for repairing the substructure 10 (i.e., the wind power generation tower structure 900) will be described. Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the method for repairing the substructure 10, showing a cross section similar to that of Figure 4(b). As will be described below, any of the segments 1 of the removable parts 101, 105 can be selectively removed and replaced with a new segment 1, allowing any part of the substructure 10 to be repaired in a simple process.

[0053] First, as shown in Figure 5(a), the connecting members 9 between the segment 1 to be removed (the central segment 1 in the figure) and the two adjacent segments 1 (the upper and lower segments 1 in the figure) sandwiching the segment 1 in question are removed to release the connection, leaving only the holes 13. Note that this work can be performed from the hollow portion 7 because the recess 11 opens into the hollow portion 7 as described above. Therefore, it is possible to proceed safely and efficiently using an internal lifting device, etc., without installing new scaffolding, etc., outside the substructure 10. In addition, a lifting jig 909 for holding the segment 1 is installed on the outer surface of the segment 1 via the threaded hole 15, and a hook 911 connected to a crane wire 913 is attached.

[0054] Next, a jack 17 is installed in the hollow portion 7 so as to straddle the segment 1 to be removed (the central segment 1 in the figure). The receiving portions of the jack 17 are placed, for example, in recesses 11 of the two segments 1 (the upper and lower segments 1 in the figure) that sandwich the segment 1 to be removed. The jack 17 then applies force in a direction that spreads the gap between the two segments 1 (the upper and lower segments 1 in the figure) (indicated by the white arrows in the figure), so that the jack 17 bears the load acting on the segment 1 to be removed (the central segment 1 in the figure). In this case, a jack 17 may also be installed in the horizontal direction in a similar manner to bear the load (see FIG. 4(a)). These operations are also performed inside the substructure 10, and are similarly efficient as the above. Note that the installation position of the receiving portion of the jack 17 is not limited to the recess 11; a recess or protrusion may be formed separately on the segment 1 for installing the receiving portion of the jack 17.

[0055] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the segment 1 to be removed is pushed outward from the inner surface of the substructure 10 and removed. This operation can also be conveniently performed inside the substructure 10 using another jack or the like (not shown). The removed segment 1 is then appropriately transported by a crane using a lifting jig 909, hook 911, and wire 913. When removing the segment 1, the segment 1 to be removed is lifted with a chain block or the like on the hollow section 7 side, and while adjusting its position, it is pushed outward with a jack, allowing the segment 1 to be removed safely.

[0056] 6(a), a new segment 1 transported by a crane or the like is pushed into the position of the removed segment 1 from outside the substructure 10 using a separate lifting jig 909, hook 911, and wire 913. This operation can also be performed from the hollow portion 7 using a jack, chain block, or the like (not shown).

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the force of the jack 17 is released (white arrow in the figure), and the new segment 1 is joined with the two segments 1 sandwiched between it using the joining members 9. The work of inserting the bolts 91 into the holes 13 and tightening the nuts 93 can also be easily completed through the hollow portion 7. The jack 17 is then removed, and the new segment 1 can be installed as shown in FIG. 4(b). In this manner, any portion of the substructure 10 can be selectively partially replaced. Note that, as an example for explanation, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a portion where the segments 1 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, such as approximately the center of the height of the removable portions 101 and 105 (see FIG. 2), as described above. However, when replacing a segment 1 located at the bottom end of the removable portion 101 (or the top end of the removable portion 105), the adjacent segment 3 directly below (or directly above) it has a recess 11 formed in it so as to correspond to the recess 11 in the vertical direction, as described above, and the replacement is performed using the same procedure as described above.

[0058] The repair method for the substructure 10 described above allows selective removal of only any one of the segments 1 of the removable parts 101, 105 and replacement with a new segment 1, without affecting other parts of the wind power tower structure 900 (the other segments 1 of the removable parts 101, 105, the intermediate part 103, the superstructure 700, etc.). Furthermore, the main work can be easily performed from the inside of the substructure 10 (the hollow part 7). This makes it possible to partially repair the substructure 10 even for an operating wind turbine, which is very advantageous in terms of cost.

[0059] As described above, according to the wind power generation tower structure 900 of the present invention, first, the superstructure 700 is placed on top of the substructure 10, so that the height of the wind power generation device 903 from the ground can be easily increased with a simple configuration, thereby increasing the power generation output of the wind turbine. In addition, at least a portion of the substructure 10 is provided with removable sections 101, 105, and at least some of the segments are segments 1 without penetrating tension members. Each of the segments 1 can be removed from other structures, such as adjacent segments 1 (including the foundations 907 and top members 800), so any portion of the substructure 10 can be easily and selectively repaired. This allows the substructure 10 to be used for a long period of time, and is particularly advantageous in terms of cost.

[0060] Furthermore, at least the upper and lower parts of the substructure 10 are removable sections 101, 105, and removable segments 1 are provided, so that partial repairs can be easily made to the parts of the substructure 10 that are most susceptible to deterioration and are most likely to require repair. On the other hand, the other part, near the center of the height of the substructure 10, is an intermediate section 103, and the segments 3 are integrated with each other by tensioning members 33, so that the intermediate section 103 can be constructed using ordinary construction methods, and the number of man-hours required to construct the substructure 10 can be significantly reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, by selectively removing only the connecting members 9 connecting the segment 1 to be removed to the other segments 1 and other structures sandwiched between them, and then selectively removing only the segment 1 to be removed, a new segment 1 can be pushed into that area and rejoined, thereby partially repairing the substructure 10 without affecting other areas (other segments 1, the middle section 103, the superstructure 700, etc.). This method can also be applied to wind turbines in operation, reducing the total cost of the wind turbine. Furthermore, since the main work described above can be performed from inside the substructure 10, it is not affected by the external environment and can be done safely and efficiently.

[0062] Furthermore, recesses 11 are provided on the inner surfaces of other structures, such as other segments 1, that are arranged on either side of the removable segment 1, and these recesses 11 open to and connect to the hollow portion 7 inside the substructure 10, so they can be used as a work space for installing or removing joining members 9 that join adjacent segments 1 together, allowing for efficient removal of any segment 1. Furthermore, when removing a specific segment 1, a holding jig or the like can be placed in the recesses 11 of the other structures that sandwich the segment 1, allowing the load to be borne by the other structures instead, allowing for safe and smooth removal of the segment 1.

[0063] (Another example of how to repair the substructure 10) The above-described method for repairing the substructure 10 allows the substructure 10 to be easily repaired even while the wind turbine is in operation. However, when the superstructure 700 has reached the end of its service life and has been removed for replacement due to aging or other reasons, repairs may be focused on the substructure 10, particularly the upper removable part 101. Another repair method suitable for such a case will be described below. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating another method for repairing the substructure 10 (wind power generation tower structure 900).

[0064] FIG. 7(a) shows the vicinity of the upper end of the lower structure 10 after the upper structure 700 has been removed. Similar to FIG. 4(b), FIG. 7(a) shows a cross section of the vicinity of the upper end of the lower structure 10 and the top member 800. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the inner diameter of the top member 800 is aligned with the inner diameter of the lower structure 10 (segment 1) near its lower end (near the portion adjacent to the lower structure 10), and a recess 11 and a hole 13 are formed in that portion. The recess 11 and hole 13 in the top member 800 are similar to those formed in segment 1. That is, a recess 11 is also formed on the inner surface of the top member 800. The top member 800 and the uppermost segment 1 of the lower structure 10 are joined by a joining member 9, similar to the joining of the other segments 1. The recess 11 in the top member 800 is also open and connected to the hollow portion 7, allowing access to the recess 11 from inside the lower structure 10.

[0065] The inner diameter of the top member 800 near its upper end is smaller than that near its lower end, in order to maintain the strength of the top member 800 and stably join the upper structure 700. If strength can be ensured, the inner diameter of the entire top member 800 may be made to match the inner diameter of the lower structure 10. Alternatively, a separate structure with a recess 11 may be formed and joined between the top member 800 and the lower structure 10. Although not shown, the vicinity of the upper end of the base 907 (see Figure 2) connected to the removable part 105 may have a structure similar to that of the top member 800.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), the connecting member 9 between the top member 800 and the adjacent segment 1 below the top member 800 is removed, thereby disconnecting the connection. The top member 800 is then removed. The removed top member 800 is then moved as appropriate. Next, as shown in Figure 7(c), the connecting member 9 between the uppermost segment 1 and the adjacent segment 1 below the segment 1 is removed, thereby disconnecting the connection. Also, a hanging jig 909, hook 911, and wire 913 are positioned on the outer surface of the segment 1, as in Figure 5(a).

[0067] Next, as shown in Figure 7(d), the uppermost segment 1 is lifted upward via wire 913 and removed from above. If necessary, the adjacent segment 1 below it can also be removed from above using the same process. By repeating this process, the joining members 9 can be removed from the necessary locations, one by one, from the top, and the segments 1 can be removed upward.

[0068] Furthermore, if necessary, when installing a new segment 1 in a removed section, it is more efficient to perform the work in reverse, starting from the bottom, thereby reducing the work space and labor required. For example, a new segment 1 is placed on top of the uppermost segment 1 of the section that was left unremoved (on top of the middle section 103 if all segments 1 have been removed), and a joining member 9 is installed to join them together. This process is repeated to install new segments 1 and new top members 800 in order from the bottom up.

[0069] In addition, if it is desired to repair the removable portion 105 (see Figure 2) of the lower structure 10, the segment 1 to be removed can be removed by pushing it from the inside, and a new segment 1 can be inserted into that location by pushing it from the outside, in the same manner as the repair method described in Figures 5 and 6. Furthermore, if the degree of deterioration or damage is minor and there is no need to replace the segment 1, it is of course also possible to replace only the top end member 800 with a new top end member 800.

[0070] As described above, according to the repair method for the wind power generation tower structure 900, after removing the upper structure 700 and the top member 800 above the lower structure 10, the connecting members 9 are removed at the necessary locations for the uppermost segment 1, and the segment 1 is removed from above.This means that no jigs such as jacks are required to support the load, and the segment 1 can be removed or replaced safely with a minimum of work space and labor.

[0071] (Substructure 10a) Next, another example of a wind power tower structure 900 of the present invention will be described. This structure has a substructure 10a instead of the substructure 10. The substructure 10a is substantially similar to the substructure 10, but differs in that at least some of the removable portions 101, 105 have different structures instead of segments 1.

[0072] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram illustrating the lower structure 10a, and shows the inner surfaces of the removable sections 101 and 105, similar to FIG. 4(a). As shown in FIG. 8(a), the lower structure 10a has, at least in part, a segment 19 instead of the segment 1, and adjacent segments 21 adjacent above and below it. The segment 19 and the adjacent segments 21 are arranged continuously around the circumference of the lower structure 10a. Note that, if necessary, adjacent segments 21 may be joined horizontally (in the circumferential direction of the lower structure 10a) by horizontally provided joining members or tensioning members (not shown), or multiple segments may be integrated. However, the segments 19 are not joined horizontally to each other, and each segment 19 can be removed individually.

[0073] Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of Figure 8(a), and is similar to Figure 4(b). Segment 19 has a hole 25 formed therein that penetrates segment 19 in the vertical direction. Adjacent segment 21 has a recess 23 that communicates with hole 25 at a position corresponding to hole 25 and that is spaced a predetermined distance above or below the lower or upper edge of adjacent segment 21.

[0074] A connecting member 39 is disposed within the recess 23 and the hole 25. The connecting member 39 is composed of a tensioning member 27 and a fixing jig 29. That is, the tensioning member 27 is inserted through the hole 25, and the tensioning member 27 passes through only one segment 19. The tensioning member 27 is fixed to the adjacent segment 21 by the fixing jig 29 within the recess 23 of the adjacent segment 21.

[0075] Therefore, in the substructure 10a, by removing the predetermined fixing jigs 29 and tensioning members 27, as in Figure 5, any segment 19 can be selectively removed from adjacent structures such as the vertically adjacent segments 21 or other horizontally adjacent segments 19. In this case, since the recesses 23 are open to and connected to the hollow portion 7 of the substructure 10a, the main work can be carried out inside the substructure 10a, just like in the substructure 10.

[0076] As described above, according to the wind power generation tower structure 100 having the substructure 10a of the present invention, each segment 19 has a tensioning member 27 that penetrates only that segment 19 and is fixed to the adjacent segment 21, so that the segment 19 to be removed can be selectively removed simply by removing the tensioning member 27, and the same effect as that of the wind power generation tower structure 100 having the substructure 10 can be obtained.

[0077] (Substructure 10b) Next, a description will be given of a lower structure 10b, which is another example of the lower structure 10a. The lower structure 10b is substantially the same as the lower structure 10a, but differs in that it has grooves 26 instead of holes 25.

[0078] Figure 9(a) is a diagram illustrating the lower structure 10b, and shows the inner surfaces of the removable portions 101 and 105, similar to Figure 8(a). Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H of Figure 9(a). The lower structure 10b does not have the holes 25 of the lower structure 10a, but instead has grooves 26. The grooves 26, like the recesses 23, open into the hollow portion 7 and are formed to a predetermined depth from the inner circumferential surface of the lower structure 10b.

[0079] The grooves 26 have a width in the circumferential direction (left-right direction in FIG. 9(a)) of the inner circumferential surface of the lower structure 10b that is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the width of the tensioning members 27. The grooves 26 are also formed continuously in the vertical direction between the recesses 23, 23 of the adjacent segments 21, 21 that contact the segment 19 above and below.

[0080] As a result, when installing the tensioning member 27, the tensioning member 27 can be easily placed in the desired position by simply placing the tensioning member 27 in the groove 26 from the hollow portion 7 side and sliding it to the back side of the groove 26 (the back side of the paper in Figure 9(a) or the left side in Figure 9(b)). Also, when removing the tensioning member 27, after removing the fixing jig 29, the tensioning member 27 can be easily removed by simply sliding the tensioning member 27 towards the front. This makes the installation and removal of the tensioning member 27 extremely easy.

[0081] Furthermore, recess 23 can be made small as long as it is possible to install fixing jig 29. In this regard, in cases where tensioning members are inserted into holes 25 through recess 23, as in substructure 10a (see Figure 8), it is desirable to make recess 23 large in the vertical direction so that tensioning members 27 are inserted into the holes from an oblique direction to minimize bending of tensioning members 27, and it can be difficult to make recess 23 small. On the other hand, substructure 10b described in Figure 9 does not have such concerns and can make recess 23 small, which offers significant advantages in terms of strength and manufacturing.

[0082] (Substructure 10c) Next, a description will be given of a lower structure 10c, which is yet another example of the lower structure 10a. The lower structure 10c is substantially similar to the lower structure 10a, but the state of the recesses 23 and holes 25 is different.

[0083] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lower structure 10c, and shows the lower structure 10c in the same manner as the left diagram in Figure 8(b). In the lower structure 10c, the hole 25c has a curved shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. In addition, the recess 23c has a triangular shape, and the hole 25c opens on a non-horizontal inclined surface, and the fixing jig 29 is placed on the inclined surface.

[0084] As a result, since hole 25c is formed obliquely rather than vertically, particularly near recess 23c, when inserting tensioning member 27, tensioning member 27 can be positioned obliquely in hollow portion 7 and then inserted generally straight toward the opening of hole 25c in recess 23c, making the insertion process extremely easy. A similar effect can be obtained when removing tensioning member 27, allowing the operator to pull tensioning member 27 generally straight out of hole 25c.

[0085] Furthermore, by making the angle of hole 25c near recess 23c approximately perpendicular to the inclined surface on which fixing jig 29 is placed, the worker working in hollow section 7 can easily visually confirm the approximate angle at which tensioning member 27 should be inserted when inserting tensioning member 27, further smoothing the work. The same is true when removing tensioning member 27; the optimal removal angle can be easily predicted from the inclined surface on which fixing jig 29 was placed, making the work much easier.

[0086] Furthermore, in the substructure 10c, the recess 23c is triangular and has a large opening toward the hollow portion 7. This allows the jack used to apply tension (release tension) when installing (removing) the tensioning members 27 to be installed at any position within the hollow portion 7, rather than being limited to the interior of the recess 23c. This significantly increases the degree of freedom in the work and allows the size of the recess 23c to be reduced. In this regard, for example, in the substructures 10a and 10b (see Figures 8 and 9), the recess 23 does not open as widely toward the hollow portion 7 as the recess 23c of the substructure 10c described above. This requires the jack used to apply tension to be reliably installed within the recess 23, which creates many restrictions and makes it difficult to significantly reduce the size of the recess 23c.

[0087] [Second embodiment] (Substructure 10d) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. To further reduce the cost of wind turbines, it is desirable to minimize the amount of concrete used in the substructure. However, simply reducing the wall thickness of the substructure reduces its strength and makes it impossible to ensure the necessary earthquake resistance. The second embodiment of the present invention addresses the above problem by reducing the amount of concrete used while ensuring sufficient earthquake resistance and, like the first embodiment, allowing easy and selective repair of any part of the substructure.

[0088] The wind power generation tower structure of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 11 differs in that it has a substructure 10d instead of the substructure 10. The substructure 10d will be described below.

[0089] FIG. 11(a) is a front view of the lower structure 10d, viewed in the same manner as FIG. 2. The outer periphery of the lower structure 10d is covered by an outer shell member 41. That is, the outer shell member 41 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower structure 10d so as to cover the lower structure 10d. Note that the outer shell member 41 arranged on the outer periphery of the lower structure 10d may also be referred to simply as the lower structure. The outer shell member 41 is divided into multiple parts in the vertical direction, and each outer shell member 41 can be removed individually. Therefore, as described below, any outer shell member 41 can be selectively removed depending on the area where repair work is to be performed.

[0090] The outer shell members 41 are non-load-bearing wall materials that do not support the load of the substructure 10d. The outer shell members 41 are curtain wall materials made of, for example, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), lightweight concrete, glass, ceramic, etc., and have a simple and lightweight structure, and function as protective walls that protect the inside of the substructure 10d from the external environment.

[0091] Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Figure 11(a), looking downward from near the top end of the lower structure 10d. As mentioned above, the lower structure 10d is located inside the outer shell member 41, and has the support columns 43, connecting member connections 51, brace members 53, horizontal beams 57, and hysteretic dampers 55. The interior of the lower structure 10d is a hollow section 7. The lower structure 10d is preferable because it has a very simple structure, and it allows for a large internal working space, giving it a high degree of freedom.

[0092] The support pillars 43 are, for example, columnar objects made of concrete or steel, and are provided in plurality. For example, four support pillars 43 are arranged in a cylindrical shape. In this way, the substructure 10d has a columnar structure having a plurality of support pillars 43 that are smaller (thinner) than the outer diameter of the entire substructure 10d in a cross-sectional view. This allows for a significant reduction in the amount of concrete or steel used, resulting in low costs. Note that the shape of the support pillars 43 is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be any suitable shape, such as a polygonal column, and the number and positions of the support pillars 43 are not particularly limited to this example.

[0093] 11(b) shows an example in which a portion of outer shell member 41 is directly fixed to the outer surface of support column 43, but outer shell member 41 may be installed using other methods. For example, outer shell member 41 may be positioned away from support column 43 by forming an arm on support column 43 and fixing outer shell member 41 to the arm. In this case, a cover member or the like may be placed on top of outer shell member 41 to close the gap between lower structure 10d and top member 800.

[0094] Each support 43 has a recess 45 and a threaded hole 15 at a predetermined position in a cross-sectional view. The recess 45 is formed at a position facing the interior (hollow portion 7) of the lower structure 10d. The threaded hole 15 is formed at a position facing the exterior of the lower structure 10d when the outer shell member 41 is removed. In FIG. 11(b), the threaded hole 15 is formed at a position that is approximately point-symmetrical to the recess 45 with respect to the center of the support 43, but it may be formed at another position. The recess 45 and the threaded hole 15 will be described in detail later.

[0095] The connecting member connection portion 51 is a member connected to the support column 43, and the horizontal beam 57 and the brace material 53 are connected to the support column 43 via the connecting member connection portion 51. Here, the horizontal beam 57 and the brace material 53 are collectively called a connecting member. In other words, the connecting member is provided on the support column 43 so as to connect adjacent support columns 43 to each other.

[0096] The horizontal beam 57 is a typical beam that is continuously installed in the horizontal direction. In contrast, the brace material 53, as shown in FIG. 11(b), is not continuous between adjacent columns 43, 43 like a typical diagonal brace, but is divided roughly in the middle. A hysteresis damper 55 is disposed in the brace material 53 near the divided point. Details of the brace material 53 and the hysteresis damper 55 will be described later. The horizontal beam 57 and the brace material 53 are made of, for example, section steel, steel bars, or steel plates processed into a predetermined shape.

[0097] Figure 12 is a view taken from line JJ in Figure 11(b), with the front shell member 41 removed from Figure 11(a). The support column 43 is constructed by joining multiple segments 61 and 63 in the vertical direction. As will be described later, connecting member connection parts 51 are removably joined to the segments 61, and horizontal beams 57 and brace members 53 are further connected to the connecting member connection parts 51. In other words, the segments 61 are the parts that support the horizontal beams 57 and brace members 53.

[0098] In contrast, segment 63 does not have connecting member connection portions 51 and does not support these connecting members. Note that the configuration in Figure 12 is an example for the purpose of explanation, and the arrangement and number of segments 61 and 63 are not limited to this. This point will be described later.

[0099] The brace members 53 are arranged diagonally between the columns 43 so that they intersect with each other. However, as described above, the brace members 53 of the present invention differ from ordinary diagonal braces in that the brace members 53 connected to each column 43 are separated from each other near the intersections of the brace members 53. Hysteretic dampers 55 are fixed to these locations. Note that although no hysteretic damper 55 is provided on the horizontal beam 57 in FIG. 12, the horizontal beam 57 may be separated approximately in the center and equipped with a hysteretic damper 55, similar to the brace members 53.

[0100] The hysteretic damper 55 is a member that absorbs the vibration energy of an earthquake, and is composed of, for example, a connecting portion 551 and a vibration absorbing portion 553. The connecting portion 551 and the vibration absorbing portion 553 are fixed and integrated. The connecting portion 551 is, for example, a steel plate with holes formed in predetermined positions. Bolts or the like fixed to the brace material 53 are inserted into the holes, and nuts are tightened, etc., to fix the hysteretic damper 55 to the brace material 53.

[0101] The vibration absorbing portion 553 is, for example, a steel plate of a predetermined thickness made of low-yield-point steel or the like, which is highly tough and easily stretched. The steel plate has, for example, approximately hexagonal holes drilled therein. The shape of the holes is not limited to this, and any shape may be used.

[0102] Here, we will explain the seismic control function of the hysteretic damper 55. When an earthquake occurs, two adjacent pillars 43, 43 shake in the arrangement direction (left and right shaking in the figure), causing bending deformation in each pillar 43 in the arrangement direction of the pillars (left and right direction in the figure). This bending deformation is transmitted to the brace material 53 and converted into relative displacement in the vertical direction (up and down direction in the figure) near the intersection position of the brace material 53 (i.e., near the position where the hysteretic damper 55 is disposed).

[0103] For example, when the left and right support columns 43 in Figure 12 swing to the right, near the intersection of the brace materials 53 (i.e., near the fixed position of the hysteretic damper 55), the brace material 53 connected to the left support column 43 will tend to displace downward, and the brace material 53 connected to the right support column 43 will tend to displace upward. Similarly, when the left and right support columns 43, 43 swing to the left, the opposite state occurs, and this cycle is repeated. The relative vertical displacement of the left and right brace materials 53 at this time is absorbed by the vibration absorbing sections 553 by repeating elastic-plastic deformation.

[0104] Such a hysteretic damper 55 has excellent vibration-damping properties against large vibrations. Furthermore, during an earthquake, the vibration absorbing section 553 absorbs vibration energy most intensively, so other parts of the substructure 10d are less likely to suffer significant damage, and seismic performance can be restored simply by replacing the hysteretic damper 55. This is advantageous in terms of cost and maintainability for long-term use of the substructure 10d.

[0105] FIG. 13 is a KK cross-sectional view of FIG. 11(b) and shows a portion of the substructure 10d and the foundation 907. Recesses 45 are formed in the segments 61 and 63 at predetermined positions that are a predetermined distance upward or downward from the upper or lower ends of the segments. The recesses 45 are open to and connected to the hollow portion 7. In the adjacent segments 61 and 63, the recesses 45 that are closest to each other in the vertical direction are located at corresponding positions. In addition, holes 47 are formed to connect the two recesses 45.

[0106] Joining members 9 are disposed in the holes 47, joining adjacent segments 61 and 63. Specifically, bolts 91 are inserted into the holes 47 and fixed to the segment 61 or 63 by nuts 93 in the recesses 45. Note that the number of joining members 9 and their positions in the recesses 45 shown in the figure are merely examples, and any form is possible. Threaded holes 15 are formed at predetermined positions on the outer surfaces of the segments 61 and 63.

[0107] With the configuration described above, the substructure 10d can be configured in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 5 and 6 by placing jacks 17 or the like in the recesses 45 of the segments above and below the segment to be removed, removing the connecting members 9, and selectively removing and replacing only the desired segment 61 or 63. This allows selective repair of any portion of the substructure 10d. Furthermore, because the recesses 45 are open and connected to the hollow portion, most major work can be performed from inside the substructure 10d, allowing for safe and efficient repairs without being affected by the external environment.

[0108] In particular, as for the segments 61, as described above, the connecting member connection parts 51 are joined to support the horizontal beams 57 and brace materials 53, so damage is likely to accumulate and repairs are likely to be required. Such segments 61 can be selectively removed and repaired with simple work, allowing the substructure 10d to be used safely for a long period of time.

[0109] When removing or repairing the segment 61, it is preferable to provide a structure similar to the recess 45 and hole 47 in the horizontal direction in the segment 61 and the connecting member connection part 51 joined to it (see Figures 11(b) and 12). It is even better if the recess in question is similarly open to and connected to the hollow part 7. In this way, it becomes possible to work from inside the lower structure 10d and remove the connecting member connection part 51 from the segment 61 before removal, for example.

[0110] Specifically, before removing a segment 61, the connection between the segment 61 and the connecting member connection portion 51 is removed. At this time, an appropriate holding jig can be used to temporarily place the removed connecting member connection portion 51 with the horizontal beam 57 and brace material 53 still connected. After this, as described above, the segment 61 is removed from the support 43, and a new segment 61 is pushed in and joined to the two vertically adjacent segments 63. After that, the connecting member connection portion 51 with the horizontal beam 57 and brace material 53 still connected is joined horizontally to the new segment 61. This allows the main work related to replacing the segment 61 to be carried out inside the substructure 10d with a minimum of labor.

[0111] Furthermore, the arrangement of the segments 61 and 63 in the support pillar 43 is not particularly limited to the forms shown in Figures 12 and 13, and may be any arrangement, but it is desirable to arrange the segments 61 in the vicinity of immediately below the top member 800 or in the vicinity of immediately above the foundation 907. As mentioned above, these areas are areas where damage is likely to accumulate in the substructure 10d (support pillar 43), and if the segments 61, which are at risk of deterioration due to supporting the horizontal beams 57 and brace materials 53 as mentioned above, are arranged in such areas, the two concerns mentioned above can be addressed by simply removing and repairing the segment 61 in one go, which is convenient.

[0112] For this reason, while Figure 13 shows an example in which all segments 61 and 63 are joined with joining members 9, this is not limiting. In areas where repairs are unlikely to be required, tensioning members may be inserted through multiple vertical segments to secure them together. In other words, only the upper and lower segments may be replaceable, while the remaining central segments may be integrated. This reduces the number of man-hours required to construct the substructure 10d.

[0113] Next, another example of the substructure 10d will be described. This configuration differs in that piles 915 are provided in the ground 905 instead of the foundations 907.

[0114] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of a substructure 10d. In this configuration, piles 915 are connected to the substructure 10d. That is, a separate pile 915 is driven into each support column 43 of the substructure 10d, and each pile 915 is connected to a single support column 43. This simplifies the process and reduces material costs compared to when a footing foundation is cast. In addition, the piles 915 are connected to each other by underground beams 917 at predetermined positions in the ground 905. This reduces the cross-sectional force acting on the support columns 43, resulting in high seismic resistance.

[0115] As described above, according to the wind power generation tower structure 900 having the substructure 10d of the second embodiment of the present invention, the substructure 10d is a column structure having multiple columns 43 and horizontal beams 57 and brace materials 53 that connect adjacent columns 43, so that the amount of materials such as concrete used can be reduced, thereby achieving cost reduction.In addition, the columns 43 are made up of multiple segments 61 and 63, and any segment 61 or segment 63 can be selectively removed from the columns 43, so that partial repair of the substructure 10d is possible, allowing the substructure 10d to be used safely for a long period of time, and reducing total costs.

[0116] In addition, brace materials 53 are arranged between the supports 43 so that they intersect with each other, and hysteretic dampers 55 are provided near the intersections of the brace materials 53, so that excellent seismic control performance can be achieved against large earthquakes despite the simple configuration. Furthermore, even in the event of a large earthquake, fatal damage is unlikely to occur to anything other than the hysteretic dampers 55, and seismic control performance can be easily restored by simply replacing the hysteretic dampers 55, making it particularly excellent in terms of cost and maintainability assuming long-term use.

[0117] Additionally, outer shell member 41 is provided on the outer periphery of lower structure 10d so as to cover lower structure 10d, thereby forming a protective wall that protects the interior of lower structure 10d from the external environment with an extremely simple and lightweight configuration. Furthermore, outer shell member 41 is divided into multiple pieces in the vertical direction, and any outer shell member 41 can be selectively removed, so that only the necessary outer shell member 41 can be removed in accordance with the portion of support 43 that needs repair, resulting in high efficiency.

[0118] Furthermore, instead of a typical footing foundation, a separate pile 915 is driven into each support 43, and one support 43 is joined to one pile 915, which simplifies the process and reduces material costs. Furthermore, since the piles 915 are connected to each other by underground beams 917, the cross-sectional force acting on the support 43 is reduced, and high earthquake resistance is achieved.

[0119] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this application, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1, 3, 19, 61, 63... segments 7……Hollow part 9, 39... Joint members 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d.... Lower structure 11, 23, 23c, 45...recess 13, 25, 25c, 47……hole 15...Threaded hole 17...Jack 21....Adjacent segment 26……groove 27, 33... tension members 29...Fixing jig 31...Through hole 41....Outer shell member 43......post 51...Connecting member connection part 53...Brace material 55...Hysteresis damper 57……Horizontal beam 91....Bolt 93...Nut 100....Wind power generation tower structure 101, 105... Detachable parts 103...Middle section 551...Connection 553...Vibration absorbing part 700……superstructure 703...Flange 705……Cavity part 800………Top edge member 803……Communication hole 900...Wind power generation tower structure 903...Wind power generation equipment 905……Ground 907……Fundamentals 909... Lifting jig 911………Hook 913...Wire 915……Pile 917……Underground beam

Claims

1. 1. A tower structure for wind power generation, comprising: A substructure that is fixed to the ground; a steel superstructure joined above the substructure and having a wind turbine generator disposed thereon; Equipped with The substructure is a concrete structure composed of a plurality of segments, A wind power tower structure characterized in that at least some of the segments do not have tension members passing through them and can be removed from other adjacent structures.

2. 1. A tower structure for wind power generation, comprising: A substructure that is fixed to the ground; a steel superstructure joined above the substructure and having a wind turbine generator disposed thereon; Equipped with The substructure is a concrete structure composed of a plurality of segments, A wind power tower structure characterized in that tension members are arranged in at least some of the segments and are fixed to an adjacent structure by penetrating only the segment, and the segment can be removed from the adjacent structure by removing the tension members.

3. The tower structure for wind power generation according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the removable segments are provided at least on the upper part of the substructure or the lower part of the substructure, or both, and that tensioning members penetrate and integrate multiple segments near the center of the height direction.

4. 3. The wind power generation tower structure according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided on the inner surface of another structure disposed across the removable segment.

5. 3. The tower structure for wind power generation according to claim 1, wherein the lower structure comprises a plurality of pillars each consisting of a plurality of the segments, and connecting members provided on the pillars so as to connect adjacent pillars to each other.

6. 6. The wind power generation tower structure according to claim 5, wherein the connecting members include brace members arranged to cross each other between the support columns, and a hysteretic damper is arranged near the intersection of the brace members.

7. an outer shell member is provided on an outer periphery of the lower structure so as to cover the lower structure; The outer shell member is divided into a plurality of parts in the vertical direction, 6. The wind power tower structure according to claim 5, wherein a part of the outer shell members is removable.

8. 6. The wind power generation tower structure according to claim 5, wherein a separate pile is driven into each of the support columns, and one support column is joined to one of the piles.

9. A repair method for a wind power tower structure according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a step of releasing the connection between the removable segment and a structure disposed between the removable segment and the structure, placing a jack across the segment to be removed, and applying a force in a direction to push the segment apart; removing the segment to be removed by pushing it outward from the inner surface of the lower structure; forcing a new segment into the position of the removed segment; a step of joining the new segment to a structure disposed across the new segment; A method for repairing a wind power generation tower structure, comprising:

10. Above the lower structure, after removing the upper structure, the segment is removed from above and replaced with a new segment; A method for repairing a wind power tower structure as described in claim 9, characterized in that, below the substructure, the jack is used to push the segment to be removed from the inside and remove it, and a new segment is pushed into that location from the outside and placed therein.

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