Wind Turbine Foundation Conical Base Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine foundation designs do not efficiently distribute load from the tower, leading to suboptimal structural and transportation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine foundation with a conically shaped concrete base that protrudes above the first foundation section, featuring through-holes for clamping elements and tensioning rods or strands, allowing for improved load distribution and reduced tower segment diameter for easier transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional flat foundation design is used, then the foundation structure is simple, but the load distribution from the tower is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation incorporates a conical base section with a curved surface instead of a flat planar surface. This curved geometry optimizes the load distribution from the tower by distributing forces more evenly across the foundation structure, improving structural strength while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation transitions from a two-dimensional flat base to a three-dimensional conical structure with varying diameter. This dimensional change allows for optimized load paths and improved load distribution characteristics that cannot be achieved with conventional flat designs
2Ease of operation
If the tower segment diameter is reduced for easier transportation, then transportation and installation become easier, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conical base section provides a curved transition surface that optimally distributes loads from the tower segment. This allows the tower segment to have a smaller diameter for easier transportation while the curved foundation surface ensures proper load distribution and structural integrity are maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation diameter varies along its height, being larger at the base and smaller at the top where it connects to the tower. This parameter change allows the tower segment to have a reduced diameter for transportation ease while the foundation's varying cross-section compensates to maintain structural integrity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine having a foundation (300). The foundation (300) has a first foundation segment (310) having a top side (311) and a concrete foundation pedestal (330) having a top side (331). The top side (331) of the concrete foundation pedestal (330) is annular and protrudes beyond the top side (331) of the first foundation segment (310). The wind turbine also has a steel tower (200) having a plurality of tower segments (201-206), wherein a lower tower segment (201) has a flange (200a) having a plurality of through-bores (200b). The flange (200a) is placed on a top side (331) of the concrete foundation (330). The wind turbine also has a plurality of clamping elements (320, 302). A lower end (320a, 302a) of the clamping elements (320, 302) is fastened in or below the first foundation segment (310) by means of a fastening unit (325, 325a). An upper end (320b, 302b) of the clamping elements (320b, 302b) protrudes beyond an upper end (331) of the concrete foundation pedestal (330) and extends through the through-holes (200b). The upper ends (320b, 302b) of the clamping elements (320b, 302b) are stressed by means of fastening units (321, 321a, 322). An outer face (332) of the concrete foundation base (330) is conical.