Wood-Based Tower Joints for Higher Shear Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine towers face challenges in efficiently transferring shear forces at vertical joints, particularly when constructed from wood-based materials, leading to increased construction costs and material demands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of connecting elements with projections and recesses in the vertical joints, featuring steps and evenly distributed prongs and valleys, enhances shear force transmission, using laminated veneer lumber and adhesive or fastening elements for wall sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If vertical joints are simplified without connecting elements, then device complexity is reduced, but shear force transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into multiple projections and recesses that segment the joint interface, creating multiple discrete contact points for shear force transmission. This segmentation allows the joint to handle complex load distributions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element features asymmetric projections and recesses with different geometries positioned at specific locations. This asymmetric design optimizes the distribution of shear forces across the joint interface, creating efficient load paths without requiring complex additional components.
2Productivity
If tower height is increased to improve energy yield, then energy generation capability is improved, but construction costs and material demands increase disproportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element uses optimized geometric parameters including projection heights, recess depths, and spacing distances that are specifically tuned for wood-based materials. These parameter optimizations maximize the shear force transmission efficiency per unit of material, allowing taller towers with reduced material consumption.
3Strength
If connecting elements with multiple projections and recesses are implemented, then shear force transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional features (projections, recesses, load-bearing surfaces) are merged into a single integrated connecting element that can be manufactured as one piece. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while achieving complex shear force transmission through the unified geometry of the connecting element.
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 design improves shear force transmission efficiency, reduces waste, and lowers construction costs by optimizing the vertical joints in wood-based towers.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one connecting element is suitable for transmitting shear force in the vertical joint
Implementation Method 2
the at least one projection of one wall engages in the at least one recess of the other wall in the assembled state of the walls in the vertical joint
Implementation Method 3
using laminated veneer lumber and adhesive or fastening elements for wall sections
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tower for a wind turbine or a mobile radio transceiver system with at least one section with polygonally arranged walls, wherein the walls are formed from a wood-based material, wherein in each case two walls in a corner of the polygon are connected to one another in the form of a vertical joint with in each case one side face. It is advantageous that the side surface of a wall in the vertical joint has at least one connecting element, that the at least one connecting element is suitable for transmitting shear forces in the vertical joint, that the at least one connecting element has at least one projection (prong) and at least one recess (valley), that the at least one projection and the at least one recess are arranged in such a way that the at least one projection of one wall engages in the at least one recess of the other wall in the assembled state of the walls in the vertical joint, and that at least one step is provided between a projection and a recess, wherein the projections of two connecting means of two walls are arranged one above the other in the assembled state of the walls in the vertical joint.