Wind Turbine Foundation Vertical Prestressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for constructing wind turbine foundations from prefabricated elements are labor-intensive, costly, and complex, requiring significant on-site work and quality assurance challenges, especially due to the need for horizontal fastening means and complex connections.
Innovation Solution
The foundation design eliminates the need for horizontal fastening means by using vertical prestressing elements, with closed base elements and horizontal elements that overlap and taper, allowing for secure connections without additional fasteners, and incorporates stiffening elements and spacers filled with mortar for enhanced stability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If prefabricated elements are used for wind turbine foundations, then on-site work and labor intensity are reduced, but connection complexity and cost increase due to required horizontal fastening means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the horizontal fastening means from the foundation connection system. By using vertical prestressing elements that pass through aligned openings in the base element and horizontal elements, the patent removes the need for complex horizontal connectors, flanges, and bolts, thereby reducing connection complexity while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach of connecting foundation elements horizontally with fasteners, the invention inverts the connection strategy by using vertical prestressing elements. This inversion simplifies the connection system by eliminating horizontal fastening means while providing adequate load transfer through the vertical elements
2Reliability
If conventional in-situ concrete foundations are used, then structural integrity is ensured, but construction time and labor costs increase due to formwork and reinforcement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the foundation into separate prefabricated elements (base element with closed base, horizontal elements) that can be manufactured independently under controlled conditions and then assembled on-site. This segmentation enables parallel production of multiple components, significantly reducing overall construction time while maintaining structural integrity through precise design of connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation elements are pre-fabricated off-site with all necessary reinforcement and prestressing elements already in place before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates on-site formwork and reinforcement installation, reducing construction time and labor while ensuring consistent quality through controlled manufacturing conditions
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple horizontal elements are used in the foundation body, then stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to required fastening means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts horizontal fastening means from the assembly system, replacing them with vertical prestressing elements that pass through aligned openings in the horizontal elements. This elimination of horizontal connectors simplifies the assembly process while the vertical prestressing provides the necessary stability by creating friction and mechanical interlocking between elements
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 approach reduces on-site work, costs, and complexity by enabling secure, load-bearing connections without horizontal fastening, while providing increased stability and facilitating quicker assembly with a resilient and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
The base element and the horizontal elements are prestressed together by the vertical prestressing elements in such a way that no further fastening means, in particular horizontal fastening means, are required to transfer the loads of the wind turbine
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a foundation for a wind turbine, wherein the foundation (10) essentially comprises prefabricated elements, preferably made of reinforced concrete, with a first, vertically extending, base-like section (11) on which a tower of the wind turbine can be arranged, and a second, essentially horizontally extending section (12) as a foundation body which is in contact with the ground (100), wherein the first section (11) is arranged above the second section (12) and has at least one closed base element (14) which is annular or polygonal, and wherein the second section (12) is formed from at least two horizontal elements (22), each of which has at least one base section (25).wherein the at least one base element (14) of the first section (11) and the base section (25) of the horizontal element (22) of the second section (12) have substantially vertical openings (18) which are aligned with each other when assembled, in which substantially vertical bracing elements (19), preferably threaded rods, are arranged. It is provided that a further vertically extending, base-like section (13) is provided, which is arranged below the second section (12) and has at least one closed base element (14), and that the further section (13) is required for transferring the loads of the wind turbine.