Tower Ring Element Connections with Slotted Holes for Fatigue Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting tower elements in a construction create stress hotspots and fatigue around through holes, leading to reduced fatigue resistance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves aligning through holes in a circular pattern and providing slots or slits in the ring elements to alter stress flow resistance, reducing peak stress and increasing fatigue resistance by locally reducing stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through holes are provided in ring elements for fastening connections, then the connection between tower elements is enabled, but stress hotspots and fatigue occur around the holes reducing fatigue resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing slots around the through holes in the ring elements. These slots create localized regions of reduced stiffness that redirect stress flows away from the hole boundaries, thereby reducing stress concentration at critical points while maintaining the overall structural integrity and connection capability of the ring element.
2Ease of operation
If traditional fastening connections are used with through holes, then assembly is simplified, but stress concentration occurs leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The slots provided in the ring elements create localized modifications that redistribute stress flows around the through holes. This local structural modification maintains the simple fastening connection assembly process while significantly improving the durability by reducing stress concentration and preventing fatigue failure at the hole boundaries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ring elements are used as adapters between foundation and tower, then the connection is facilitated, but stress hotspots occur around the through holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing slots around the through holes in the adapter ring elements. These slots create localized stress flow modifications that redirect and distribute the stress more evenly, thereby reducing stress concentration at the hole boundaries while preserving the adaptability and versatility of the ring element as a connection adapter between foundation and tower structures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Presented is a method and an arrangement for connecting a first ring element (1) of a first tower element (2) and a second ring element (3) of a second tower element (4) in a tower construction. A first abutment ring surface (5) of the first ring element (1) arranged against a second abutment ring surface (6) of the second ring element (3), first through holes (7) passing through the first ring element (1) are aligned with second through holes (9) of the second ring element (3) to provide first aligned through holes (11), and the first ring element (1) is fastened to the second ring element (3) by fastening bolts (12) arranged in the first aligned through holes (11). At least some of the first through holes (7) of the first ring element (1) being provided with a first slot (13).