A-Frame Truss Foundations for Lower-Steel Solar Tracker Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of solar energy infrastructure, particularly the foundations for large-scale solar arrays, is not optimized, leading to inefficiencies in steel usage and depth of embedment due to the use of conventional monopile foundations which are oversized to resist lateral loads, and alternative A-frame foundations with steep angles result in excessive tensile and compressive forces.
Innovation Solution
A truss or A-frame foundation system with moderately sloped legs, optimized to reduce the non-linear magnitude of tensile and compressive forces from lateral loads, using a range of angles that limits these forces and reduces the amount of steel and depth of embedment required, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional monopile foundations are used, then lateral loads are resisted, but the amount of steel and depth of embedment required is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the foundation by transitioning from monopile to A-frame configuration with specifically optimized angles (30-60 degrees), which fundamentally alters how lateral loads are distributed and resisted, reducing steel requirements while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation is segmented into two separate legs forming an A-frame structure, allowing each leg to independently resist lateral loads through axial forces rather than requiring a single oversized monopile, thereby reducing total material consumption
2Strength
If A-frame foundations with steep angles are used, then lateral loads are translated into axial forces, but excessive tensile and compressive forces are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the A-frame angle parameter to a specific range (30-60 degrees) that balances the translation of lateral loads into axial forces while limiting the magnitude of tensile and compressive forces to acceptable levels, avoiding the excessive forces generated by steeper angles
3Quantity of substance
If optimized A-frame foundations are used, then steel usage is reduced, but structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the A-frame angle within the 30-60 degree range, the patent achieves the best compromise between reducing steel consumption and maintaining structural integrity, ensuring that lateral loads are effectively translated into manageable axial forces while using less material
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented A-frame structure with two legs allows for more efficient load distribution compared to a monopile, enabling reduced material usage while maintaining or improving structural performance through the geometric configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the amount of steel and labor needed for solar array foundations, decreases the likelihood of encountering refusals during installation, and maintains structural integrity by translating lateral loads into axial forces, thus lowering overall project costs and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The A-frame shape translates lateral loads into axial forces of tension and compression in the legs
Data Source
AI summary
An A-frame shaped truss foundation system for a single axis tracker with moderately sloped legs that translate lateral loads into tension and compression without substantially increasing the magnitude of the lateral load force while optimizing material usage. Several such truss foundation systems are installed in a row to support a torque tube of a single-axis solar tracker. An adapter joins ends of adjacent upper legs and separates the truss legs by an angle more than 35-degrees up to 70-degrees.