The soaring height achieved by wind turbines would not be possible if it were not for the sturdy support of wind turbine towers. Now, a researcher from the University of the Basque Country has developed a simulation model to ensure that wind tower turbines are up to the job.

When a wind turbine tower leaves the factory, it does so in two or three segments. These segments are brought to the location where they are raised and bolted together. However, this can be tricky to achieve.

“The aim is that all the bolts should have the same load so that they all work equally,” explained Mikel Abasolo. “But in practice, achieving this uniformity is no easy task. In an adjustment sequence, when you tighten one bolt, the previous ones lose part of their load.”

Bolts have to be adjusted again and again in order to balance the load. This means a loss of time and money.

Mr. Abasolo’s model simplifies this process by predicting which load has to be apportioned to each bolt at the moment when the installation begins so that uniformity can be achieved. All one has to do is enter the characteristics that the tower and its parts will have.

The model takes away the guesswork from the installation, allowing the process to proceed with a minimum waste of time and manpower.

It can also be applied to maintenance tasks. As time goes by, the bolts loosen and the bolts have to be adjusted. The model can allow operators to anticipate theses times and allow for a more efficient maintenance schedule.

The model has yielded good results in a number of simulations and the researcher believes that it could have far reaching applications for the wind turbine market sector. – EcoSeed Staff

новинки кинематографа
Машинная вышивка, программа для вышивания, Разработка макета в вышивальной программе, Авторский дизайн