DE102014112787A1 - Method for connecting an upper pipe end of a foundation structure with a lower pipe end of a structural element for the construction of an offshore wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for connecting a structural element, which has a lower tube end, which has a lower tube end which is similar in diameter and wall thickness to the upper tube end of the foundation structure, to the upper tube end of the foundation structure for the further construction of an off-shore wind turbine, can be circumvented with the problems occurring in known in the prior art method problems. With the method that is characterized by the fact that - that the pipe ends are flangeless, - that the lower end of the pipe element of the structural element is placed end to end on the upper tube end of the foundation structure, and - that along the joint at the end of the two pipe ends sitting on each other, circumferentially in each case opposite each other on the outer and on the inner sides of the two pipe ends, the joint bridging clamping plates mounted and guided transversely to the longitudinal extent of the pipe ends through the wall of the upper pipe end of the foundation structure and through the wall of the lower pipe end of the structural element , the clamping plates are screwed to each other to be pulled screw elements such that the clamping plates form a connection establishing frictional engagement with the pipe ends, in particular a more independent from external influences formation of the compound is achieved and is prevented s by changes in the upper tubular end of the foundation structure caused by a driving action of the foundation into the ocean floor (by ramming or shaking), the connection is weakened.

Description

The invention relates to a method for connecting a structural element, which has a lower tube end in diameter and wall thickness to the upper tube end of the foundation structure, to a structural element that is attached to a foundation structure driven into the seabed and has the upper tube end projecting above the water surface, with the upper tube end of the foundation structure for the further construction of an offshore wind turbine.

The erection of wind turbines and entire wind farms also offshore, i. Located in the sea, today is already common practice. In this context, the construction at sea requires significantly different and difficult to overcome challenges to the construction engineering, in particular the foundation, i. Anchoring on the seabed, the corresponding structure and the actual construction on the foundation. While foundations can be prepared on land in a known manner, which can then successively be used to set up the wind turbines in a conventional manner, this is much more difficult at sea. It is not only important to note that it is not possible to base a foundation similar to that on land so that other construction techniques have to be taken into account. Rather, it is also of considerable relevance that typically the weather and environmental conditions at sea are much rougher and harsher than on land. Accordingly, only limited time windows are available for the construction of wind turbines at sea, in which the weather is sufficiently quiet than that building activities can be deployed there.

In principle, there are different approaches to founding a wind turbine, with a widely used model being foundation with foundation piles, which are driven into the seabed by means of ramming or vibration technology and thus anchored. In this case, the piling technique is often used, and this has now fallen into disrepute due to the loud sounds caused when the ramming of the pile member on the tubular pile element, which are harmful to the marine fauna, especially for whales and dolphins. Accordingly, it is now also on to no longer ram pile foundations, but with a permanently put on the post and put into vibrating shaking vibrate vibrate body into the ground.

If this foundation pile, which, if it comprises a single pipe, is often referred to as "monopile", it is first driven so far into the seabed that it is firmly anchored and that the top of the foundation pile or other foundation structure remains above sea level is in the next stage of construction, the adjoining element or the adjoining building structure is connected. This can e.g. already be the tower (or a tower segment) of the wind turbine, which is then raised by means of a floating crane on the anchorage and discontinued there. However, this can also be a so-called transition piece, also called "transition piece", on which e.g. Devices such as jetty and the like. Can be arranged and then followed by the construction of the tower of the wind turbine in a vertical upward direction.

In order to safely accommodate the subsequent full load that is to initiate the wind turbine built on the founding structure into the foundation structure and to create a firm connection, various connection options are known, which can be divided into two groups.

A frequently used type of connection of the structuring element (Transiton Piece or tower or tower segment) adjoining the foundation is here to create an overlap with the upper end of the foundation structure by forming a larger diameter tubular end section in the lower area of the adjoining one Structure is pushed over the upper tubular end at the upper end of the foundation element or the foundation structure, the resulting gap (annulus) sealed and with a hardening material, typically a cement or concrete mixture, poured out. Examples of such an approach are in the DE 103 30 963 A1 and in the DE 10 2007 020 483 A1 described.

A significant problem with this type of connection and definition of the subsequent construction of the structure (the wind turbine) here is that the quality and strength of the backfill material (concrete, cement) is highly dependent on the curing conditions. In particular, penetrating seawater, too high humidity or unfavorable temperatures are harmful. The result of this is that if such connections of high strength and high reliability are to be formed, only very selected weather periods can be used to make the connection here. If, for example, a sudden change in weather or another unforeseen event occurs during the growing phase, this has a clearly weakening effect on the connection, whereby a connection once started, ie when the filling material is poured in (concrete, cement), is not stopped again or even stopped can be reversed. Rather, it comes then To significantly weakened compounds that have a shortening and thus negative impact on the life of the building to a critical impact on its stability in general.

Another type of connection is that on the upper tubular end of the foundation structure, in particular a monopile, before its driving into the seabed an inwardly facing flange is attached, typically with a welded joint. About this flange then the patch structure, which also has an inwardly facing flange on its lower, tubular end, with correspondingly extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular structures, guided through aligned openings in the flanges screws or bolts or other screw elements (threaded rods or Like.) Screwed. Such a configuration of the compound is eg in the US 2011/0006538 A1 shown.

However, even with this type of connection and the connection of the other structures placed on the foundation structure, problems arise:
The welded on the upper tubular end of the foundation structure prior to their driving into the seabed flange also serves as attack or impact surface for the ram or the vibrator. When working here with a ram, the impact of the ram on the flange, which impact is often unequal or slightly offset, typically results in deformations in the flange surface, which then leads to an insufficient accuracy of fit with the counterpart, the flange at the lower end of the pipe and leads to the upper pipe end of the foundation to be connected structural element. Here are in practice between the successive patch flanges to observe column, which, if no countermeasures are taken, lead to a significant weakening of the connection. In practice, intermediate pieces, typically so-called shimming sheets, are then used here in order to achieve a full-surface or approximately full-area contact between the flanges and for the derivation of the vertical loads by this measure. This measure, ie the onset of shimming sheets, on the one hand very expensive, since these must be selected separately on site, possibly even made, on the other hand, it leads to an improvement in the connection, however, is not suitable, the quality of each other originally to perfectly reproduce perfectly plan machined flanges.

If, however, the foundation is driven by a vibration process into the seabed, while less deformations of the flange occur at the upper edge of the upper tubular portion of the foundation element or the foundation structure, however, the high force and high impulse vibration load already leads to a high Stress and ultimately a weakening and thus an early fatigue of the welded joint of the flange with the rest of the foundation element. In this case, an essential, load-bearing structure is already weakened during the construction of the building, which leads to corresponding risks and to a reduced service life of the building. Incidentally, such a weakening is also to be observed in the case of the above-described ramming method, since the ramming impacts also lead to a high load on the weakening of the welded joint.

Against the background of these deficits of the known connection techniques in the construction of offshore wind turbines, more precisely in the connection of a connection structure to be connected to the foundation structure (transition piece, tower of the wind energy plant or tower segment thereof), the inventor has made it his business an improved method of joining a structural element to a top end of the foundation structure for further erection, comprising a top end of the tube projecting above the water surface and having a bottom end similar in diameter and wall thickness to the top end of the foundation structure an offshore wind turbine and also to provide a correspondingly improved connection that helps to circumvent these problems, which leads in particular to a more independent of external influences formation of the compound and d ie, it is not weakened either by changes in the upper tubular end of the foundation structure caused by a driving operation of the foundation into the ocean floor (ramming or shaking).

To solve this problem, a method with the features of claim 1 is proposed by the invention. Advantageous developments of this method are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 9. A further aspect of the invention finally consists in a connection with the features of claim 10.

According to the invention, in a method for connecting a structural member having a lower tube end having a diameter and a wall thickness to the upper tube end of the foundation structure and being disposed above the water surface of the upper structure, the structural member having the upper tube end of the foundation structure the further construction an offshore wind turbine initially formed the pipe ends involved flangeless. Furthermore, the invention and the method according to the invention are characterized in that the end of the tube under the structural element is placed in abutment with the upper tube end of the foundation structure. Finally, an essential aspect of the solution according to the invention is the type of connection of the pipe ends along the joint, namely, that along this joint at which the two pipe ends frontally aufeinanderitzen, in a possible embodiment in particular circumferentially each opposite each other, but basically offset in the circumferential direction against each other and overlapping possible, on the outside and on the inside of the two pipe ends, the joint bridging clamping plates are placed and these clamping plates with transverse to the longitudinal extent of the pipe ends through the wall of the upper pipe end of the foundation structure and through the wall of the lower pipe end of the structural element out Clamping plates are screwed to each other to be pulled screw elements in such a way that the clamping plates form a connection establishing frictional engagement with the pipe ends.

The solution according to the invention is different than the known screw, which work with screw flanges, without the corresponding flange. But this is also immediately a principal vulnerability of the known and existing compounds, namely, in the welded joint of the flange, which welded joint by the driving of the foundation in the seabed (ramming or shaking) is heavily stressed, eradicated. Also, it is no longer necessary, due to the type of connection selected here, that the front ends of the tubular ends involved lie exactly flush on the upper side of the foundation element and on the underside of the adjoining structural element facing it, e.g. For example, after defects have occurred due to ramming or shaking, they must be bridged by shimming plates. Because the force and the load is now no longer transferred directly through this joint and the end face aufeinanderitzenden pipe ends, it is rather along the frictionally connected with the respective pipe ends or frictionally connected clamping plates, which lie opposite each other on the inside and the outside of the pipe walls , In this case, characterized in that the screw elements are biased in such a way that here this frictional engagement is described and the load is discharged through this and the clamping plates, in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction and thus the direction of the force or load introduction or -ableitung arranged screw elements on the actual carrying this vertical load not involved. So here there are no transverse to the longitudinal direction of the screw acting loads on these, which could be feared about a shearing of the screw. Rather, the transfer of forces and loads takes place flat in and through the clamping plates due to the achieved by appropriate biasing of the screw frictional or frictional connection.

Compared to the other known methods, in which the patch on the foundation element virtually surmounted over the upper tubular end of the foundation and the space is filled with a thermosetting material, which then creates the actual force-bearing connection, the type of compound according to the invention make much more reliable and reproducible, since an influence of the external conditions on the training and thus the subsequent strength of the connection is not given. The quality of the connection depends here only on the design to be taken in the selection of the number and size of the screw and clamping plates and from the biasing force or the biasing torque with which the screw are tightened to the clamping plates from the inside and outside of the front to clamp against each other tubular sections against each other and produce the frictional engagement.

In the structural element, which is connected in the manner according to the invention with the upper tube end of the foundation structure, it may be a so-called transition piece. However, the structural element can just as well be the tower of the wind energy plant or a tower segment of such a tower of a wind energy plant.

In the region of the connection of the structural element, a kind of "skirt", that is to say a further protruding circumferential cut, can project as it were, projecting downwards beyond the joint. On this outside, e.g. Investor structures for supply vessels and the like. Be appropriate. Such a section may be provided with a hardening filler material, e.g., to provide a seal against the outer seawater of the area equipped with the clamping plates and screw members. Concrete or special cement, poured out. However, it is important to mention that such a measure does not make a relevant and decisive contribution to the formation of the connection or connection of the structural element with or to the upper tube end of the foundation structure. This connection is achieved here alone and essentials by the inventive arrangement of the clamping plates and screwing them to form the frictional engagement.

Advantageously, the clamping plates are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the circumference of the joint, wherein in the circumferential direction of the clamping plates directly abut each other or with a distance of 2 cm or less, for example, 1 cm or less, are arranged to each other. By such a measure not only along the circumference of the building evenly distributed connection and thus load transfer is possible, it is through the close-packed arrangement of the clamping plates, especially on the outside of an additional protection of the joint against external influences, such as weathering and influences due to atmospheric moisture, water spray and sea salt contained in the air.

In particular, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping plates are braced at each of the tube ends not only with one screw per tube end to each other, but with several. In particular, at least four, preferably at least six, screw elements per tube end (ie, each upper tube end of the foundation structure and lower tube end of the structural element), in total so per clamping plate or clamping plate pair (formed from the two opposite each other along the diameter on the outside and on the Inside arranged clamping plates) at least eight, in particular at least twelve, screw elements may be provided. As a result, a particularly secure and strong frictional connection and clamping is achieved.

In particular, the clamping plates can be braced on the side of the upper tube end of the foundation structure and on the side of the lower tube end of the structural element in each case at least two rows of screw elements arranged one above the other in the longitudinal direction of the tube ends. In this way, not only a good distribution of the force field for the frictional engagement in the circumferential direction, but also in the longitudinal direction of the built structure is achieved, which further leads to a safe and reliable connection due to the achieved frictional engagement.

Here, when forming the connection, manufacturing tolerances and / or e.g. Due to the driving operation of the foundation element in the seabed resulting deformations can compensate, can be formed in the walls of the pipe ends slots that extend in the longitudinal direction of the pipe ends and through which the screw are passed. For example, circular holes or openings with an enlarged diameter relative to the diameter of the screw element can also be used instead of elongated holes for tolerance compensation. These have over the slots also has the advantage that a tolerance compensation in several tangential directions is possible. Although such enlarged holes or holes, just like slots and larger diameter selected holes, an even further weakening of the wall of the elements involved, but this weakening is compensated anyway, that in this area, the loads and forces not through the wall of the involved elements is guided, but rather diverted by the opposing clamping plates, which hold the two pipe ends frictionally and are connected to these at the joint.

Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, the connection can be formed in such a way that firstly the clamping plates are arranged on the inside and on the outside of the lower tube end of the structural element and loosely fixed with associated screw elements. This can e.g. already pass on land before the structural element is loaded on a ship and taken to the construction site of the building. After the foundation structure is anchored, the structural element is then lowered with its lower end of the tube and the already arranged clamping plates on the upper end of the pipe structure in such a way that the clamping plates this, so the upper end of the pipe foundation structure, on the outside and on the Embrace the inside. Subsequently, the screw elements are attached to the upper tube end of the foundation structure and secured with this the clamping plates, and it is ensured by tightening or biasing all the screw on the lower tube end of the structural element and also on the upper tube end of the foundation structure, the clamping of the clamping plates, so that the frictional connection is created. This approach allows accelerated work at sea, so that the construction time there, which is not only generally tight, but also very expensive, can be shortened.

With particular advantage, in the method according to the invention, the foundation structure may be a single foundation pipe, a so-called monopile.

The screw elements can be threaded bolts or also threaded rods screwed into corresponding threaded structures formed in one or more of the involved elements, which are then bolted to corresponding nuts, possibly with the interposition of further elements such as washers or the like. In particular, it will often be considered in the method according to the invention, the outer clamping plates not with the To break screwing and thus suspend the screw on the outside of the weather, unless a subsequent sealing of the room, for example, by an above-described arrangement of a skirt-like downwardly projecting circumferential wall and backfilling of the cavity formed under this with a sealing material. In that regard, you will typically provide internal threads in the outer clamping plates are then screwed into the threaded rods, which in turn are secured with nuts screwed from the inside, these nuts are screwed against the inner clamping plates. Alternatively, bolts can also be guided through corresponding passage openings in the inner clamping plates, in the walls of the upper tube end of the foundation structure and the lower tube end of the structural element and screwed into threaded openings of the outer clamping plates.

In a further aspect, as already mentioned, the invention relates to a connection between a structural element comprising a lower tube end having a diameter and a wall thickness equal to the upper tube end of the foundation structure and a top tube end projecting above the water surface above the upper tube end Pipe end of the foundation structure for the further construction of an offshore wind turbine, which is characterized by along the circumference at the joint at which the two pipe ends face each other, circumferentially, in each case opposite each other, but also in the circumferential direction offset and arranged overlapping possible, applied to the outside and on the inside of the two pipe ends, the joints bridging clamping plate, the transverse to the longitudinal extent of the pipe ends through the wall of the upper pipe end de r foundation structure and guided through the wall of the lower tube end of the structural element, the clamping plates to each other to be pulled screw elements are screwed in such a way that the clamping plates form a connection establishing frictional engagement with the pipe ends. This compound has the advantages already set out in the description of the process.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

1 schematically a portion of a connection between an upper end of a foundation structure shown in the figure below and a lower end shown in the figure above of an adjoining structural element in an embodiment according to the invention;

2 an enlarged, partially sectioned view of a single section of the compound according to the invention to illustrate the same;

3 in a sectional side view schematically the connection according to the invention with two differently illustrated variants of a possible embodiment in the upper portion (on the connection structure) and the lower portion (on the foundation structure).

The figures are purely schematic and merely show possible embodiments, they should not be construed as limiting the invention to these embodiments in particular.

1 shows first schematically a compound of the invention 1 between an upper tubular section of a foundation structure shown here cut off 2 and a lower tubular portion of a structural element adjoining the structure 3 , The two tubular sections of the foundation structure 2 and the structural element 3 , which meet here, are equal in diameter formed as well as in the wall thickness, resulting in the enlarged view according to 2 particularly good. Again in 2 which shows a detailed view, partly in section and partly without the characteristic of the inventive compound and characteristic clamping plates, is the joint 4 to be recognized at the the tubular ends of the foundation structure 2 and the structure of the element 3 meet on the front side. It can also be seen that at this joint a gap can be formed between the mutually facing end pipe ends, without this affecting the strength of the compound approximately.

In 1 Again, it is good to see that along this joint 4 circumferentially in complete coverage on the outside arranged clamping plates 5 string together, with each on the inside of the clamping plates 5 opposite other clamping plates 6 arranged in a row. Also the clamping plates 6 are lined up on impact and without significant gap to each other, as the clamping plates 5 do on the outside. The clamping plates 5 respectively. 6 are curved and follow the circumferential course of the tubular ends of the foundation structure 2 and the structural element 3 in the area of the joint 4 ,

In 2 Again, it is better to recognize that the clamping plates 5 . 6 with screw elements, here in the form of screw nuts provided with threaded rods, are clamped towards each other, wherein first screw 7 the clamping plates 5 . 6 in the region of the lower end of the structural element 3 connect and brace each other, second screw 8th this in the area of the upper end of the foundation structure 2 to get. In this embodiment, grouped to the respective screw elements 7 respectively. 8th six such screw elements per pair of clamping plates 5 . 6 , these being in two horizontal, ie parallel to the course of the line at the joint 4 arranged rows of screw elements 7 respectively. 8th in the vertical direction, that are arranged one above the other in the longitudinal direction of the tubular elements. It can be seen in 2 also that in the walls of the elements involved founding structure 2 and structural element 3 in the area of their free ends, at the joint 4 collide, in one of the arrangement structure of the screw 7 respectively. 8th corresponding patterns each elongated holes 9 respectively. 10 are introduced. Through these are the screw elements 7 respectively. 8th guided, so that by preloading the screw elements 7 respectively. 8th the clamping plates 5 respectively. 6 with high force towards each other and against those at the joint 4 adjacent walls of the elements involved founding structure 2 and structural element 3 can be pressed so that here creates a frictional connection. In such a bias then in the longitudinal direction of the tubular elements auflastende forces and loads resting on the joint 4 passing through the clamping plates 5 . 6 guided and safe in the founding structure 2 , which may be a so-called monopile, for example. The formation of the openings in the walls of the foundation structure 2 and the connection structure 3 in this area as long holes 9 . 10 allows tolerance compensation in the production of the connection.

In the 2 magnified situation is also in again 3 shown. Here is a side section through the arrangement of foundation structure 2 and structural element 3 More specifically, the walls of the tubular ends, which may be, for example, steel pipes, shown. You can also see the clamping plates 5 . 6 , which may be steel plates and which are arranged on the outside or the inside of the compound and the joint here shown as a gap 4 bridged. In this illustration, the structural element projecting through the screw elements 7 in a different embodiment to the foundation structure 2 protruding screw elements 8th shown, this is done only to illustrate different ways of execution of the screw, the screw 7 . 8th can of course be identical, are usually carried out, depending on the circumstances selected from various possible designs.

In this example, it is with the screw elements 7 into corresponding internally threaded openings in the clamping plate 5 screwed threaded rods 11 , on the inside first a sleeve 12 , then a washer 13 and finally a mother 14 are applied. The arrangement of the sleeve 12 and placed on it washer 13 should here a further relief of the threaded rods 11 cause the application of the clamping force.

Instead of the threaded rod 11 and the angry mother 14 can also find a complete screw or a bolt with a screw head use here.

The screw elements shown in the figure below 8th are, however, as the clamping plates 5 and 6 completely penetrating or protruding threaded rods 11 formed on the two-sided nuts 14 with interposition of a washer 13 are screwed on. Instead of a threaded rod and nuts on both sides can also find a screw or a bolt with a fixed screw head and only one side applied nut use.

A solution like in the 3 shown below is usually used when the clamping plate 5 on the outside again protected against the weather, especially in a space below a parent "apron" potted, so that then the nuts arranged there 14 or screw heads are not exposed to weathering and are accordingly protected against corrosion.

From the view of the figures shown here and the above description of the embodiment should again be clear that by the arrangement of the plurality of oppositely applied clamping plates 5 . 6 and the corresponding bracing thereof by means of the screw elements 7 . 8th a frictional connection between the clamping plates 5 . 6 and the corresponding walls of the elements involved founding structure 2 and structural element 3 on which the clamping plates 5 . 6 lie, which then ensures a firm connection, in which a load application in the longitudinal direction of the tubular elements on the clamping plates 5 . 6 runs and so the joint 4 unloaded leaves. This connection is, as already mentioned, a particularly reliable and durable, in particular - unlike the flange of the known Schraubverbindungsart with their welding connections to the involved Elements - no additional fatigue phenomena are observed.

As already mentioned, the embodiments shown do not limit the invention, which has been described in its general scope and in the general features in the preceding general description and which is characterized in the following claims again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 connection

2

 foundation structure

3

 structural element

4

 joint

5

 chipboard

6

 chipboard

7

 screw

8th

 screw

9

 Long hole

10

 Long hole

11

 threaded rod

12

 shell

13

 washer

14

 mother

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10330963 A1 [0006]
• DE 102007020483 A1 [0006]
• US 2011/0006538 A1 [0008]

Claims (12)

A method for connecting a on one to a driven into the seabed founding structure, placed over the water surface projecting upper tube end having a diameter and wall thickness of the upper end of the pipe structure similar to the lower tube end having structural element with the upper tube end of the foundation structure for the further establishment of a Off-shore wind energy plant, characterized in that - the pipe ends are formed without flanges, - that the lower end of the pipe element of the structural element is placed on the end of impact on the upper tube end of the foundation structure, and - that along the joint at which the two pipe ends face each other sitting, peripherally on the outer and on the inner sides of the two pipe ends, the joint bridging clamping plates mounted and transverse to the longitudinal extent of the pipe ends through the wall of the upper pipe end of the foundation structure and by the Wa nd the lower tube end of the structural element out, the clamping plates to each other to be pulled screw elements are screwed in such a way that the clamping plates form a connection establishing frictional engagement with the pipe ends. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping plates are arranged on the outside and on the inside of the two pipe ends in mutually opposite positions. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural element is a transition element, a so-called transition piece. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the structural element of the tower of a wind turbine or a tower segment of the tower of a wind turbine. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping plates are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the circumference above the joint, wherein in the circumferential direction, the clamping plates abut each other directly or with a distance of 2 cm or less to each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping plates are braced at each of the tube ends with at least four, in particular at least six screw elements to each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping plates are clamped on the side of the upper tube end of the foundation structure and on the side of the lower tube end of the structural element with in at least two rows of longitudinally of the tube ends arranged one above the other screw elements. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the walls of the tube ends in the longitudinal direction of the tube ends elongated slots or circular openings are arranged with respect to the diameter of the screw enlarged diameter through which the screw are passed to compensate for tolerances and / or deformations , Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that initially the clamping plates are arranged on the inside and on the outside of the lower tube end of the structural element and loosely fixed with associated screw elements, that then the structural element with its lower tube end and the clamping plates already arranged thereon is lowered to the upper end of the pipe of the foundation structure so that the clamping plates surround this on the outside and on the inside, and then secured the clamping plates with screw elements on the upper tube end of the foundation structure and the clamping plates by tightening all the screw at the lower end of the tube Structural element and are clamped at the upper end of the pipe foundation structure and so the frictional connection is created. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foundation structure is a single foundation pipe, a so-called monopile. Connection between a founding structure driven into the seafloor ( 2 ), above the water surface projecting upper pipe end patch, a diameter and wall thickness of the upper pipe end of the foundation structure ( 2 ) equivalent lower tube end having structural element ( 3 ) and the upper tube end of the foundation structure ( 2 ) for the further construction of an offshore wind turbine, characterized by along the circumference at the joint ( 4 ), on which the two pipe ends sit on the front side, applied to the outer and on the inner sides of the two pipe ends, the joint ( 4 ) bridging clamping plates ( 5 . 6 ) transverse to the longitudinal extent of the tube ends through the wall of the upper tube end of the foundation structure ( 2 ) and through the wall of the lower tube end of the structural element ( 3 ), the clamping plates ( 5 . 6 ) to be pulled on each other ( 7 . 8th ) are screwed in such a way that the clamping plates ( 5 . 6 ) Form a connection establishing frictional engagement with the pipe ends. A compound according to claim 11, characterized in that the clamping plates on the outside and the inside of the two pipe ends are peripherally arranged in each case opposite one another.

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