Resilient Pressure Distributing Element for Wind Tower Foundation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for laying foundations for wind turbine towers, which involve anchoring rods in concrete elements, lead to excessive pressure on these components due to the weight of the tower, causing bending and stress concentration, which can result in structural issues and potential cracking.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a resilient pressure-distributing element, made of materials like steel or synthetic materials, is used to distribute the pressure more evenly, reducing stress on the concrete element, and includes a levelling structure to ensure proper alignment and a second casting layer to further distribute pressure, along with anchor rods treated to minimize friction and a shield to apply horizontal pressure, thereby reducing axial and vertical stress on the concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If anchor rods are used to fix the tower to the concrete element, then the tower can be securely anchored, but the anchor rods and concrete element are exposed to large pressure causing bending and stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure made of rigid material (e.g., steel) is introduced as an intermediary between the tower base and the concrete element. This support structure carries the tower load and transfers it to the concrete element through a resilient pressure distributing element, preventing direct transmission of concentrated loads through anchor rods to the concrete, thereby reducing bending and stress concentration.
2Productivity
If heavy tower construction is positioned on the concrete element, then the tower can be installed, but excessive pressure is put on the anchor rods causing potential structural issues
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as a mediator that receives the tower load and redistributes it through resilient elements to the concrete element, preventing excessive concentrated pressure on anchor rods while enabling tower installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient pressure distributing elements change the pressure distribution parameters from concentrated point loads to distributed loads across a larger area of the concrete element, reducing peak stresses and improving structural reliability during and after tower installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the foundation is leveled before positioning the turbine tower, then proper alignment can be achieved, but large pressure is still put on the anchor rods when positioning the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with resilient pressure distributing elements acts as a buffer between the leveled foundation and the tower, allowing proper alignment to be achieved while preventing large pressure transmission to anchor rods during the critical tower positioning phase.
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 reduces the stress concentration on the concrete foundation, minimizes the risk of cracking, and allows for a more stable and even distribution of pressure, ensuring the tower is properly aligned and securely fixed without excessive deformation or structural damage.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure from the tower on the concrete element is distributed over a larger area, thereby reducing the pressure on the points at which the tower is carried
Implementation Method 2
The support structure comprises a resilient pressure distributing element which is soft relative to the concrete element... the support structure will deform less than the concrete element, when an equal pressure is applied on each of these elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a tower construction e.g. for a wind mill and a method of laying a foundation of a tower construction. The tower construction (1) comprises a concrete element (2), and a base flange (3) from which a tower wall (4) extends upwardly. The base flange is supported by an intermediate support structure (5) positioned on the concrete element (2). The support structure (5) is more rigid than the concrete element (2) and comprises a resilient pressure distributing element (6) which is soft relative to the concrete element (2). Furthermore, the invention provides a support structure for a tower construction.