Modular building
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of end-of-life wind turbine blades poses an environmental threat due to their composite materials, and existing reuse methods are energy-intensive and inefficient, while buildings lack effective fire protection and expansion joint solutions.
Innovation Solution
A modular building construction using wind turbine segments as structural components, incorporating a pressurized fluid hydraulic system for fire protection and cork for expansion joints, ensuring structural stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If wind turbine blades are disposed of in landfills, then the environmental threat is avoided temporarily, but long-term environmental damage occurs and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting end-of-life wind turbine blades and repurposing them as structural columns in building construction. The blades are discarded from their original function but recovered as valuable structural materials, transforming waste into useful building components and eliminating landfill disposal needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by transforming wind turbine blades from a single-purpose component (energy generation) to a multi-functional material that serves as structural support in buildings. The blades gain new life as load-bearing columns, demonstrating how materials can serve multiple functions across different applications
2Loss of substance
If wind turbine blades are recycled through crushing and grinding, then materials can be reused, but the process requires high energy expenditure and complex processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the structural value directly from whole or large-section wind turbine blades without subjecting them to crushing or grinding processes. The blades are utilized in their existing form as structural columns, eliminating the need for energy-intensive size reduction and material processing
3Reliability
If conventional fire protection systems are used in buildings, then fire safety is provided, but the protection effectiveness against structural collapse is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the fire protection system directly into the structural columns themselves. The hollow interior of the blade-columns houses water reservoirs and spray mechanisms, combining the load-bearing structural function with fire suppression functionality in a single integrated element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through the autonomous operation of the fire protection system embedded within the structural columns. The system automatically detects fire conditions and activates spray mechanisms using water stored within the column structure itself, providing self-contained fire protection without requiring external infrastructure
4Strength
If expansion joints are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but vibration control and seismic resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing expansion joints with controlled flexibility that can adapt to seismic movements and vibrations. The joints incorporate damping mechanisms and flexible connections that allow the structure to move and absorb energy during earthquakes, transforming the joints from rigid constraints to dynamic energy-dissipating elements
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
The solution promotes a circular economy by reusing wind turbine materials, enhances fire safety through efficient heat dissipation and extinguishing, and provides effective vibration control and seismic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
enhances fire safety through efficient heat dissipation and extinguishing
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a pressurized fluid hydraulic system for fire protection
Implementation Method 3
provides effective vibration control and seismic resistance
Implementation Method 4
the use of cork to materialize the expansion joints
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes the construction of sustainable modular buildings from end-of-life or reused wind turbine segments, promoting the circular economy and the “zero waste” concept. It discloses a modular building that follows structural mechanics and architecture strongly influenced by the introduction of wind turbine tower and blade segments at the end of their useful lives. The hollow section part of the tower will form the rigid core and the blades will form pillars and connecting beams that join these pillars to the central core. Valuing the hollow internal space of the components, there is also the incorporation of a fire fighting and safety system using a water circuit inside the structure, at the same time that it houses networks of the different tubes and pipes of the specialties present in a building. To improve anti-seismic behaviour and vibration control, cork is used as a connecting element and constituent of the expansion joints between structural elements.