Foundation with slab, pedestal and ribs for columns and towers

Abstract

A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab with a stiffened perimeter, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation having a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13 / 319,083 filed Nov. 5, 2011 which claims the benefit of provisional applications 61 / 215,430 filed May 5, 2009, 61 / 269,800 filed Jun. 29, 2009, 61 / 284,901 filed Dec. 28, 2009, 61 / 339,550 filed Mar. 5, 2010 and claims priority from PCT / US / 2010 / 041006 and is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 12 / 774,727 filed May 6, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11 / 859,588 filed Sep. 21, 2007 which claims the benefit of applications provisional applications 60 / 826,452 filed Sep. 21, 2006 and 60 / 954,502 filed Aug. 7, 2007.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to building fatigue resistant foundations for supporting columns, towers and structures under heavy cyclical loads such as for onshore and offshore wind turbine towers. Wind turbine support structures are subjected to high cyclical loading with the nu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a cost-effective foundation for wind turbines that reduces construction material usage. It includes a central pedestal and a continuous bottom support slab with stiffened perimeter. The foundation has a network of post-tensioning elements embedded in the footing to keep all the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post-compression. This results in high stiffness, fatigue resistance, and desirable heat dissipation conditions during construction. The use of prefabricated components and efficient engineering design further reduces risks of thermal cracking and improves overall quality of the wind turbine foundation system.

Problems solved by technology

When concrete is cast in massive sections for wind tower foundations, temperatures can reach high levels and the risk of thermal cracking becomes very high unless cooling techniques or special admixtures are applied.

Thermal cracking often compromises the structural integrity of the foundations.

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