Design of tall wind turbine towers utilizing UHPC

Author(s): S. Sritharan, G.M. Schmitz
Paper category: Symposium
Book title: RILEM-fib-AFGC International Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete
Editor(s): F. Toutlemonde, J. Resplendino
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-130-8
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-131-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications S.A.R.L
Pages: 433 – 442
Total Pages: 10
Language: English

Abstract: 
A major research focus of the wind energy industry is to reduce its capital and operation costs. One potential solution to reducing the wind energy cost has been suggested to be through the use of taller wind turbine towers. A new tower concept has been developed using Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) that would allow taller wind turbine towers to be transported to wind farm sites easily within the current transportation limitations. Three tower designs, consisting of precast UHPC or high strength concrete segments, have been completed for potential field implementation. This paper summarizes the three designs completed with a hub height of 100 m as well as laboratory tests completed on critical sections of two of the towers. Each design utilizes different connections between the precast segments. These connections rely on high strength bolts, post-tensioning, and in situ UHPC. The performance of each section is demonstrated to be excellent in this paper using the test observations and complementary analytical results.

Online publication: 2014
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00