WO2014120327A1 - Fondation de tour - Google Patents

Fondation de tour Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014120327A1
WO2014120327A1 PCT/US2013/070692 US2013070692W WO2014120327A1 WO 2014120327 A1 WO2014120327 A1 WO 2014120327A1 US 2013070692 W US2013070692 W US 2013070692W WO 2014120327 A1 WO2014120327 A1 WO 2014120327A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
foundation structure
fill
concrete
tower
foundation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/070692
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tony Jolly
Original Assignee
Tony Jolly
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/752,897 external-priority patent/US8499513B2/en
Priority claimed from US13/932,690 external-priority patent/US8607517B2/en
Application filed by Tony Jolly filed Critical Tony Jolly
Priority to EP13873398.5A priority Critical patent/EP2951354B1/fr
Priority to ES13873398.5T priority patent/ES2664734T3/es
Publication of WO2014120327A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014120327A1/fr
Priority to ZA2015/06191A priority patent/ZA201506191B/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • E02D27/425—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys specially adapted for wind motors masts

Definitions

  • Harnessing wind energy is becoming more widespread and acceptable as a viable means of generating electrical power for industrial and consumer uses.
  • Large scale capture and conversion of wind energy requires the placement of wind turbines at a suitable elevation above the ground to capture the wind flow free from the interference and turbulence caused by the terrain surface.
  • towers are used to support the wind turbines at the proper elevation. The towers are subjected to high winds that create tensile forces on the windward side of the tower and compression forces on the leeward side. These forces can be transferred to the foundation. Due to the small electrical generation capacity of each individual wind turbine, numerous towers are typically required.
  • the present disclosure involves decoupling the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces.
  • the present disclosure includes a foundation structure made of structural components comprising pre-cast concrete, cast-in place concrete, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, pre-tensioned concrete and post-tensioned concrete, or other materials for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower.
  • this foundation structure may be covered with non-cementitious materials or fill of any type to provide the required mass to stabilize the foundation and the tower. Avoiding the use of concrete, as fill material, to provide mass decreases the cost and carbon footprint of the tower.
  • the fill may be soil or aggregate local to the tower site, increasing operational efficiency.
  • An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a foundation structure, which is pre-fabricated or easily assembled from a kit.
  • the foundation structure for a tower includes a plurality of structural members.
  • Each of the structural members comprises pre-cast concrete, cast-in place concrete, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, pre-tensioned concrete and post-tensioned concrete, or other materials wherein each of the structural members comprises a base member.
  • the base member of each structural member is coupled to the base member of an adjacent structural member to form a base for the foundation structure.
  • the foundation structure further includes a central shaft. A first end of each of the structural members is coupled to the central shaft.
  • the central shaft has a diameter to match a tower to be mounted on the foundation structure.
  • the foundation structure is placed within a pit and covered with a sufficient volume of a particular fill such that a tower coupled to the central shaft is held in position by the fill.
  • Each of the structural members comprises a top surface. At least a portion of the top surface comprises a channel for receiving the fill. At least a portion of the channel extends along the length of the structural member. A void is defined between each adjacent structural member. The void is configured to receive the fill.
  • the base can be coupled to a plate.
  • the plate comprises a material of sufficient strength and thickness to support at least the weight of the threshold volume of fill.
  • the plate comprises a steel and/or concrete plate.
  • the foundation structure further comprises a fastening member located at the top of the central shaft. The fastening member connects the foundation structure to the base of the tower.
  • the structural members are coupled to the central shaft by at least one of the group consisting of bolts, studs, welds, grouting, and/or threaded receivers.
  • the structural members further comprise a plurality of steel and/or concrete plates.
  • the foundation structure further comprises one or more sensors.
  • the one or more sensors further comprises mechanical strain sensors, fatigue sensors, and/or corrosion sensors.
  • the tower foundation comprises: the foundation structure discussed earlier, positioned inside an excavated pit; and a volume of the fill such that the weight of the volume of the fill is sufficient to counteract an expected tension load transferred to the foundation structure from the tower.
  • the depth of the excavated pit is sufficient to contain the foundation structure with a top of the foundation structure located within plus or minus 3 feet of the ground surface.
  • a method of forming a foundation for a tower comprises: placing the foundation structure in an excavated pit, and covering the foundation structure with non-cementitious fill material.
  • the foundation structure is prefabricated.
  • the method further comprises constructing the foundation structure in the excavated pit.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foundation structure according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a structural member according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • the typical method of constructing foundations for the wind turbine towers involves pouring a concrete base to support each of the towers.
  • the concrete is poured into a plurality of forms containing tons of rebar. This requires the foundation be built at the construction site where it is subject to weather conditions, crew availability, and other factors which may lead to delay. Due to the fact construction of the foundations are often on the critical path for the project, any delays can impact project completion and have considerable negative financial consequences.
  • the foundation for the tower is a way of grouping mass and/or force at the base of the tower and using structural elements to transfer forces between the mass and the tower.
  • the mass is not constrained by a container, such as a storage tank, that is part of the foundation.
  • a foundation structure can be buried in the soil and the soil/fill itself constrains the mass at the base of the foundation and keeps it from moving.
  • the term soil includes any fill material, and preferably, non-cementitious fill material that can provide mass ballast for the foundation.
  • the fill may be obtained locally to the construction site or from the construction site itself. In some instances, the fill may be obtained as a byproduct of the construction itself.
  • the present invention relates to a system for constructing a foundation for a tower on site from prefabricated structural members comprises a material, the material comprising concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre-stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned.
  • a pit is excavated below the ground surface and the foundation structure is assembled inside the pit from pre-manufactured parts or positioned in the pit pre- assembled.
  • the foundation structure 100 may be buried or placed in an excavated pit and covered with a sufficient volume of fill 125.
  • the fill 125 provides the structural strength to stabilize the foundation structure 100 with a tower (not shown) mounted thereon.
  • the foundation structure 100 includes a plurality of structural members 110.
  • Each structural member 110 comprises material, including concrete with several possible implementations, such as, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre-stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned, of sufficient strength and thickness to support at least the weight of the threshold volume of fill 125.
  • Each structural member 110 includes a base member 205.
  • the base member 205 of a first structural member 110 can be coupled with the base member of a second structural member and so on to form an interlocked base 120 for the foundation structure 100.
  • a first end 112a of each structural member 110 can be coupled to a central shaft 105.
  • the fill 125 constrains the mass at the base 120 of the foundation structure 100 and keeps it from moving.
  • the central shaft 105 can be of a large enough diameter to match the tower to be mounted on the foundation structure 100 and long enough to span the entire depth of the foundation structure 100.
  • a fastening member 130 can be located at the top of the central shaft 105 for making the connection between the foundation structure 100 and the base of the tower.
  • each structural member 110 can be coupled to the central shaft 105 by bolts, studs, welds, grouting, threaded receivers, and so on.
  • the structural members 110 can transfer compression loads and tension loads from the central shaft 100 to the base 120.
  • the structural member 110 can comprises a material, including concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre- stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned concrete.
  • the first end 112a of the structural member 110 can be coupled to the central shaft 105.
  • a second end 112b of the structural member 110, opposite the first end 112a, can extend outwardly.
  • the structural member 110 can have a substantially arched or a curved top surface 207. At least a portion of the top surface 207 can include a channel 209. At least a portion of the channel 209 can extend substantially along the length of the structural member 110. Fill 125 can be placed in the channel 209.
  • the base 120 can be coupled to a reinforcing plate
  • the plate can be made of any suitable material, such as, steel or concrete, that can support the weight of a tower.
  • Each structural member 110 can extend radially along the diameter of the plate. As described earlier, these structural members 110 can be made of concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre-stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned, steel plates, rods, I- beams, or other suitable material and may be placed in various numbers, groupings, and spacing depending on the required size of the foundation.
  • the central shaft 105 is not directly connected to the plate.
  • the plate varies in three dimensions (e.g., a basin shape).
  • Voids 114 can be defined between adjacent structural members.
  • a void 114 is formed between adjacent structural members 110a and 110b.
  • the voids 114 are configured to receive fill 125.
  • the material used to make the foundation structure 100 can be determined by the use and conditions surrounding the tower.
  • the components of the foundation structure 100 comprise steel, such as carbon steel or stainless steel.
  • the structural members 110 may comprise steel plates, rods, beams, concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre- stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned. Protective coatings may be applied to prevent corrosion. Other materials may be used in conjunction with steel.
  • the material used to construct the foundation structure 100 may be any combination of materials including, but not limited to, a metal, concrete, a composite (e.g., carbon structures), a ceramic, or a plastic.
  • the fill 125 may be any particulate, such as, for example, soil or aggregate that serves as ballast.
  • the foundation structure 100 can include any number of sensors 140 adapted to detect conditions of and within the foundation.
  • the sensors 140 may be positioned inside the foundation structure 100.
  • one or more sensors 140 may be placed within the foundation structure 100 in order to detect the condition of the fill 125 and/or the material used to construct the foundation structure 100.
  • one or more sensors 142 may be placed on the exterior of the foundation structure 100 in order to detect the condition of the fill/soil 125 surrounding the foundation structure 100 and/or the material used to construct the foundation structure 100.
  • the sensors 140 may be placed in contact with portions of structural members 110 susceptible to high strain.
  • the sensors 140 and 142 may include, but are not limited to, a mechanical strain sensor, a fatigue sensor, a moisture sensor, and a corrosion sensor (e.g., cathodic electrical potential sensors, etc.).
  • the foundation structure 100 may also include a cathodic protection system (not shown) coupled to the foundation structure 100.
  • a sufficient amount of the fill 125 can be placed over the structural members 110 such that the foundation structure 100 is substantially or completely covered by the fill 125.
  • the voids 114 can be filled with the fill 125.
  • the fill 125 can also be placed within channel 209.
  • the fill 125 can be placed in either the voids 114 or the groove 112a.
  • the amount of the fill 125 is sufficient to provide mass and ballast for the foundation structure 100.
  • the fill 125 can have a particular average density such that the weight of the volume of fill 125 is sufficient to counteract expected tension-based lifting forces, such as those resulting from high winds on the tower attached to the foundation structure 100.
  • Tension force estimates for the tower may be calculated according to height and general design.
  • the weight of the fill 125 required to counteract the tension force estimates may then be calculated. In one example, the weight of the fill 125 is set to equal the weight of the tower.
  • the fill 125 may be, at least partially, comprised of local materials.
  • the local materials may be from the excavation of the pit into which the foundation structure is placed.
  • the type of fill 125 used will, therefore, depend on the local geology of the construction site. If the site is has a rock substrate, the fill 125 may consist of an aggregate, which may be cleaned and conditioned prior to placement in the foundation. If the site has a predominately soil substrate, the fill 125 consists of local soils. Likewise, mixed substrates may produce the fill 125 comprising mixed rock and soil. This mixed substrate may be cleaned and conditioned prior to use. It will be appreciated that the fill 125 may be chosen from a range of possible materials that depends on the type of substrate found at the construction site.
  • aspects of the present invention disclosed herein allow easier cleanup and decommissioning of the site because the foundation structure may be removed cost-effectively.
  • the foundation structure may be reused at another site.
  • the ease of removal provided by aspects of the invention enable accurate evaluation of available wind power by providing a cost effective solution to install a full- sized tower and turbine at a site prior to full scale construction and cost-effective removal of the tower and foundation if turbine performance shows the available wind at the site is not suitable for full scale power production.
  • the invention comprises a method for constructing a foundation for a tower.
  • the foundation is constructed by excavating a pit of a sufficient size to contain the foundation structure 100.
  • the depth of the excavated pit is sufficient to contain the foundation structure 100 with a top of the foundation structure 100 located within plus or minus 3 feet of the ground surface.
  • the backfill from the excavation may be reserved.
  • a foundation structure 100 such as that described above, is assembled inside the excavated pit from a kit including pre-fabricated pieces.
  • the foundation structure 100 such as the one above, is positioned in the pit at least partially pre-assembled.
  • the partially (or entirely) pre-assembled foundation structure 100 may be fabricated beforehand at a remote location for transport to the construction site, removing fabrication of these elements from the project's critical path.
  • the foundation structure 100 is positioned on leveled ground with no excavation performed. Avoiding excavation could reduce costs, particularly in areas where excavation is problematic.
  • the base member 205 of each structural member 110 can include a groove 210 on a first end and a ridge (not shown) on a second end.
  • the groove in a first structural member can releasably mate with the ridge of the second structural member and so on to form the base 120.
  • the prefabricated pieces of the foundation structure 100 are fitted together inside the excavated pit or on top of leveled ground at the site and are connected by bolting the pieces together with suitably sized threaded fasteners.
  • Construction of the foundation is continued by covering the structural members 110 with a volume of fill 125 to provide the mass and ballast to stabilize the foundation and the structure (such as a tower) to be erected upon the foundation.
  • the volume of the fill 125 may be sufficient to counteract expected lifting forces exerted by winds or other forces.
  • the foundation structure 100 may be filled with the backfill reserved from the excavation process.
  • Constructing the foundation according to aspects of the invention may take as little time as one to two days, in contrast with previous methods of tower construction in which tying rebar for the concrete foundation may take weeks. By minimizing the window for construction, weather delays are reduced. Also, the impact of cold, rain, and heat regarding pouring and curing cement are eliminated. Prefabrication of foundation elements also decreases costs by reducing the size of the required labor force at the site.
  • aspects of the present invention include a tower foundation structure kit.
  • the foundation structure kit includes components for constructing the foundation structure discussed herein. Components may be packaged in space-saving or easily handled configurations for storage and shipment.
  • the kit includes the central shaft 105, and a plurality of structural members 110 comprises a material, including concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre- stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned.
  • a material including concrete with several possible implementations, including, pre-cast, cast-in place, reinforced, pre- stressed, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned.
  • compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods also can “consist essentially of or “consist of the various components and steps. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une structure de fondation, qui comprend une pluralité d'éléments structurels. Une première extrémité de chaque élément structurel est accouplée à une tige centrale. Dans des conditions de sol appropriées, la structure de fondation est enterrée dans le sol, et le sol lui-même contraint la masse à la base de la fondation et l'empêche de bouger. La structure de fondation est faite d'éléments structurels et comporte un matériau, comprenant du béton préfabriqué, du béton coulé sur place, du béton renforcé, du béton précontraint, du béton précontraint par prétension et du béton postcontraint, pour résister aux forces prévues qui sont transférées à partir de la tour.
PCT/US2013/070692 2013-01-29 2013-11-19 Fondation de tour WO2014120327A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13873398.5A EP2951354B1 (fr) 2013-01-29 2013-11-19 Fondation de tour
ES13873398.5T ES2664734T3 (es) 2013-01-29 2013-11-19 Cimentación de torre
ZA2015/06191A ZA201506191B (en) 2013-01-29 2015-08-25 Tower foundation

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/752,897 US8499513B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2013-01-29 Tower foundation
US13/752,897 2013-01-29
US13/932,690 2013-07-01
US13/932,690 US8607517B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2013-07-01 Tower foundation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014120327A1 true WO2014120327A1 (fr) 2014-08-07

Family

ID=51262826

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2013/070692 WO2014120327A1 (fr) 2013-01-29 2013-11-19 Fondation de tour

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2951354B1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2664734T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014120327A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA201506191B (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779523A (en) * 1972-03-08 1973-12-18 Ecodyne Corp Concrete cooling tower
US7155875B2 (en) * 2000-09-27 2007-01-02 Henderson Allan P Method of forming a perimeter weighted foundation for wind turbines and the like
US20080072511A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2008-03-27 Ahmed Phuly Partially prefabricated modular foundation system
US7591119B2 (en) * 2000-04-24 2009-09-22 Ritz Telecommunications, Inc. Method and apparatus for increasing the capacity and stability of a single-pole tower
US8220213B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2012-07-17 Tony Jolly Tower foundation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779523A (en) * 1972-03-08 1973-12-18 Ecodyne Corp Concrete cooling tower
US7591119B2 (en) * 2000-04-24 2009-09-22 Ritz Telecommunications, Inc. Method and apparatus for increasing the capacity and stability of a single-pole tower
US7155875B2 (en) * 2000-09-27 2007-01-02 Henderson Allan P Method of forming a perimeter weighted foundation for wind turbines and the like
US20080072511A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2008-03-27 Ahmed Phuly Partially prefabricated modular foundation system
US8220213B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2012-07-17 Tony Jolly Tower foundation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2951354B1 (fr) 2018-01-31
EP2951354A4 (fr) 2016-08-31
ES2664734T3 (es) 2018-04-23
EP2951354A1 (fr) 2015-12-09
ZA201506191B (en) 2017-09-27

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