Wind Turbine Tower Recesses for Cable Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of tall wind turbine towers using concrete requires numerous post-tensioning cables for stability, which occupies space and complicates the construction process, posing safety hazards due to the need for high-altitude post-tensioning operations.
Innovation Solution
A tower structure with recesses in the base portion to house reinforcing cables and anchoring means, allowing for easy access and visual inspection, and a connector element to securely anchor and transfer loads from the cables to the foundation, facilitating efficient and safe post-tensioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If numerous post-tensioning cables are arranged in the tower to ensure structural stability, then the tower stability is improved, but the interior space of the tower is occupied and the construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into segments with recesses created in the tower wall at specific levels. These recesses segment the space where cables are anchored, allowing organized arrangement of multiple cables without occupying the entire interior volume. The recesses create dedicated zones for cable anchoring that do not interfere with the main tower functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging cables only in the horizontal plane within the tower interior, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by creating recesses at different levels (intermediate level and top level). This three-dimensional arrangement allows cables to be anchored at multiple heights, improving stability while efficiently using available space.
2Strength
If post-tensioning is carried out at the top of a tall tower (100m or more), then the tower can be pre-stressed for structural strength, but safety hazards increase due to high-altitude operations
Solution Approach 1:
The post-tensioning process is segmented into multiple stages at different levels. Instead of requiring all cables to be tensioned from the top, the recesses at intermediate levels allow some cables to be anchored and tensioned at lower heights, reducing the safety risks associated with high-altitude operations while still achieving the required structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses act as intermediary structures that facilitate cable anchoring at intermediate levels. These recesses provide accessible platforms for performing post-tensioning operations at lower heights, serving as a mediator between the foundation level and the tower top, thereby reducing the need for dangerous high-altitude work.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cables are embedded in the tower walls extending from foundation to uppermost level, then structural stability is achieved, but the construction becomes complex and costly requiring cumbersome lift jacking equipment to be hoisted to the top
Solution Approach 1:
The cable anchoring is segmented into multiple locations at different levels rather than requiring all cables to extend from foundation to the very top. The recesses at intermediate levels provide anchoring points that shorten the effective cable length and eliminate the need for equipment to be hoisted to the maximum tower height.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are pre-formed in the tower wall during construction, creating ready-made anchoring locations before cables are installed. This preliminary preparation simplifies the subsequent cable installation and tensioning processes, as the anchoring points are already in place and accessible at lower levels.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention describes a tower structure (1) comprising a base portion (10) with a number of recesses (2) arranged in the base portion (10), wherein a recess (2) is arranged to correspond to an anchoring means (4, 41) anchored in a foundation (3) for the tower structure (1); a number of reinforcing cables (5) arranged in a wall (13) of the tower structure (1) such that a reinforcing cable lower portion (50) extends into a recess (2); and a connector element (6) for connecting a reinforcing cable lower portion (50) to an anchoring means upper portion (40). The invention also describes a tower structure foundation (3). The invention further describes a connector element (6) realised for connecting a reinforcing cable lower portion (50) and an anchoring means upper portion (40). The invention further describes a wind turbine (8) comprising such a tower structure (1) mounted on such a foundation (3). The invention also describes a method of constructing such a tower structure (1).