GB2480712A

GB2480712A - Connection member for modular tower

Info

Publication number: GB2480712A
Application number: GB1018035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Dudley John Apps
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-24
Filing date: 2010-10-25
Publication date: 2011-11-30
Also published as: GB201018035D0; GB201008578D0

Abstract

A connection member for supplementing the bolted connection between vertically adjacent tower modules comprises, in use, a vertical ring member (1) with a horizontal member 3 attached thereto. The member 3 preferably comprises a floor which fills the cross-sectional area of the ring member, functioning as a safety platform during construction and as a fire baffle once completed. In use, the ring member is preferably received within continuous circumferential grooves in the upper and lower ends of the tower modules. The floor 3 has apertures which preferably align with bolt holes provided on the flanged inner walls of the tower modules, to allow bolting through the platform. The connection member stabilizes the joint prior to bolting 2. The ring and floor members, and tower modules are preferably concrete. In use, the connection member reduces lateral distortion of the tower and allows longer tower modules to be used.

Description

Centrifuge Concrete Proforma Currently concrete tower/pylon construction is hindered by the constraints of small vertical segment size. Small segment size results in long periods of site construction, lateral distortion of the tower if the segment is built over a certain length (height) and there is the added constraint of the tower segment needing to be a uniform diameter throughout its length. The use of a centrifuge concrete proforma tackles these problems by enabling the use of longer tower segment sections.

The invention relates to a system of joining concrete segments of towers/pylons, the segments are to be equal to or greater than 3.5 metres in length.

The centrifuge concrete proforma is a one piece (allows for uniformity of equal distribution of stress) spun moulded uniform concrete ring, acting as a template for individual concrete tower segments to be joined, distributing stress and stabilising the horizontal joints created as the tower is built. The prefabricated nature of the centrifuge concrete proforma means its dimensions can be altered, thus changing the diameter of the tower as its construction proceeds vertically upwards, offering the opportunity to create a tapered tower.

Also, the presence of a centrifuge concrete proforma means the joint between two tower segments can cope with greater stress so be a greater length. As the tower segments and the centrifuge concrete proforma can all be made of site (i.e. prefabricated) greatly reduces site erection time. The centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a safe working platform until each joint is constructed. Due to its prefabricated nature the centrifuge concrete proforma can be shaped accordingly (i.e. diameter altered) to distribute stress of joint equally and the tower segments diameters altered accordingly.

The spun uniform nature of the centrifuge concrete proforma enables it to stabilise the concrete segments in tower construction, enabling the segments to take a greater loading without distortion, and also be tapered as can take a greater stress.

The centrifuge concrete proforma also has the ability to act as a dual purpose piece, with the floor of the centrifuge concrete proforma acting as safety platform when being installed and fire baffle after installation, as compartmentalises the tower.

The presence of bolt holes within the centrifuge concrete proforma enable the upper, lower concrete segments and centrifuge concrete proforma to be joined faster and with more stability. The centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a template to enable faster construction, as the bolt holes enables the lock features of concrete tower segments to be locked together more easily, and joined quickly on site.

A description of the invention will now be outlined with reference to the following diagrams: Figure 1 is the centrifuge concrete proforma with a cut-away section.

Part of the outer of the concrete centrifuge proforma 1 has been removed (for demonstrative purposes only) to highlight the position of the floor of centrifuge concrete proforma 3. 1 sits within the joint between two tower segments. 2 shows the possible location of the bolt holes/location guides that run through the centrifuge concrete proforma and the concrete segments, the inserted bolts hold that position when the external segments are being secured, and will be tightened to increase the strength of the tower. The bolt holes are covered by a lip on each of the concrete segments.

Figure 2 shows a detailed vertical cross section of the joint of the concrete tower segments and the centrifuge concrete proforma in situ, 1 shows the outer side of the centrifuge concrete proforma, 2 shows the bolt holes in cross section through both the concrete tower segments (upper and lower) and through the centrifuge concrete proforma, all the predetermined holes will be in alignment with each other to enable faster fixing, forming one solid unit. 3 is the floor of the centrifuge concrete proforma. The centrifuge concrete proforma 3 acts as a joining point for the upper and lower external concrete segments 4 to be fixed to. 5 is showing the ducts that run the full length of each external concrete segment that house.the steel tendons, keeping the tower in tension. To absorb undulations in the tower segments caused by securing to the centrifuge concrete proforma there are gaskets 6 between the concrete tower segments and the centrifuge concrete proforma, the gaskets remove any inconsistencies and create a better horizontal fit of segments being fixed.

Figure 3 is showing the horizontal joints of the external concrete segments, without the centrifuge concrete proforma being present.

There is a lip on each segment 4 to seal / cover the boitholes 2 where the bolts will be inserted, linking and securing the upper and lower segments together. The centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a template for these two segments to be aligned together. The cushioning gasket 6 can be either on the tower segments or the centrifuge concrete proforma.

The presence of bolt holes, 2, on the centrifuge concrete proforma 3 acts as a location points when joining with the boitholes in the concrete tower segments and allows them to lock the joint in place.

Locking the joint in place enables it to distribute stress and thus become more stable. When securing the top and bottom of the concrete segments together while under construction, through its design, the centrifuge concrete proforma presence means the segments can be aligned quickly and offers stability before being able to finally bolt the items together.

By securing the top and bottom of each segment with bolts through the predetermined bolt holes 2 located through the centrifuge concrete proforma the threat of horizontal distortion of the external segments is greatly reduced, as it locks each piece in place When the centrifuge concrete proforma is being cast a cushioning gasket can be installed into the top and bottom of each of each external segment joint to allow for any deviation that could have accrued when the external segments were being cast. This absorbs any lateral deviation that could occur if the segments were without the gaskets presence.

The predetermined holes 2 within the top and bottom of each external concrete segment match those that are located within the floor of the centrifuge concrete proforma, enabling the three items to be secured together by means of bolts, when the holes are aligned.

The concrete segments will incorporate longitudinal ribs to the internal face as and when required by the towers external loading.

This reduces the thickness of the segments to carry stress. The centrifuge concrete proforma is formed using a mould which is spun, creating a uniformity enabling the centrifuge concrete proforma to carry an increase in stress from longer tower segments.

Claims

Claims 1 A centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a template for the external concrete segments to be joined, by altering the diameter of the centrifuge concrete proforma, the complete structure shape can also be altered.
2 By its design the centrifuge concrete proforma has the ability to stabilise each of the horizontal joints between the concrete tower segments, when erecting external concrete segments one upon the other, enabling the tower segments to be longer in length.
3 According to claim 1, when the external concrete tower segment abuts the centrifuge concrete proforma, the centrifuge concrete proforma provides a stability point when as the next concrete segments are being fitted.
4 According to claim 1, the centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a template to the external concrete segments during and after installation, by altering the ring diameter of the centrifuge concrete proforma.
According to claim 4 a centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a safety platform when being installed, as provides platform to work on.
6 The floor of the centrifuge concrete proforma acts as a fire baffle breaking the finished structure down into manageable compartments.

7 centrifuge concrete proforma provides means of aligning the joining structures faster using the bolt holes as aligning points.