Tangential Beam Wind Turbine Foundation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine foundations using prefabricated concrete elements face challenges in stability, particularly against tipping moments, due to high assembly effort required for bridging plates and limitations in transporting and assembling large elements, which affect the foundation's ability to withstand dynamic and static loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of tangential beams connecting adjacent support elements forms a star-shaped support structure, eliminating the need for bridging plates and allowing for slimmer, weight-optimized radial support elements, while also using bridging plates that are secured by the beams, reducing assembly effort and enabling efficient force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bridging plates are used to bridge the gap between adjacent prefabricated concrete elements, then the stability and load-bearing capacity of the foundation is improved, but the assembly effort and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the function of bridging plates with the support elements by integrating them into a single unified structure. The support elements are designed with curved upper surfaces that directly engage with adjacent support elements, eliminating the need for separate bridging plates while maintaining the stability and load-bearing capacity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide vertical support, lateral stability, and mutual bridging between adjacent elements. The curved upper surface of each support element acts as both a structural component and a bridging mechanism, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the length and/or width of the prefabricated concrete elements are increased to improve stability, then the resistance to tipping moment is improved, but the transportability from precasting plant to construction site is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is divided into multiple prefabricated concrete elements of optimized, transportable dimensions. These segmented elements are then assembled on-site to form the complete foundation structure, allowing each element to be transported easily while the collective assembly provides the necessary stability and tipping moment resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the length or width of individual elements to improve stability, the patent uses the vertical dimension and geometric configuration (curved surfaces, triangular arrangements) to achieve stability. The support elements are arranged in a triangular pattern with curved upper surfaces that interlock, providing stability through geometric configuration rather than increased element dimensions.
3Weight of stationary object
If the radial support elements are designed to be slimmer and weight-optimized, then the weight of the foundation is reduced, but the load-bearing capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are constructed as composite structures combining concrete with reinforcement elements. The curved upper surfaces and triangular arrangements provide structural efficiency, allowing slimmer profiles that maintain load-bearing capacity while reducing weight. The composite construction optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements feature curved upper surfaces that optimize structural efficiency. These curved geometries provide inherent stability and load distribution, allowing the elements to be slimmer and lighter while maintaining sufficient load-bearing capacity. The curvature distributes forces more effectively than flat surfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
In the case of a foundation (1) for a wind turbine, comprising a circular or polygonal stand (2) for bearing a tower, which stand is divided into a plurality of annular portions, and comprising support elements (5) which extend radially outward from the stand (2), the annular portions and the support elements (5) being in the form of or being composed of prefabricated concrete elements (3), and adjacent support elements (5) being mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction, adjacent support elements (5) are in each case interconnected by means of a bar (13) which extends tangentially and is in the form of a prefabricated concrete element.