1. Wind Turbine Support Structure
Benjamin Boyett
ET 493
Advisor – Dr Mohamed Zeidan
Instructor - Dr. Cris Koutsougeras
04/04/2014
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2. Introduction
Wind turbines are supported by 3 main tower types. Monopole, guy-wired, and lattice (truss) towers. Amount of space available and budget determine which tower is used. In this case I am designing and building a lattice tower to support the wind turbine. A lattice tower is cheaper to build than monopole and takes up less space than a guy-wired tower.

3. Turbine Types

4. Project Overview 50ft tall 4 sided lattice tower A36 Low Carbon Steel
L-section steel beam legs and cross supports bolted together
Top of tower 4’x4’ plate for turbine to rest on
10’x10’ – 15’x15’ base
Concrete foundation legs extend into ground
Sustainability Center
What is the project about?
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Is it similar to projects in the past or is it a new effort?
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5. Objectives Research standards for wind turbine structures
Design a lattice support structure for the vertical wind turbine being built by Anthony, Brody, and Hulon. (COMSOL)
Calculate exterior and interior loads and ensure the structure can withstand normal and extreme cases.
Determine forces on members and choose size L section beam (COMSOL)
Build tower and foundation

6. Research
American Society for Civil Engineers 7 (ASCE7) Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
ASCE/AWEA RP2011 Recommended Practice for
Compliance of Large Land-based Wind Turbine Support Structures
AISC Steel manual
Standards for small wind energy systems

7. Wind Load Calculations
Worst case, wind turbine stopped at max wind
velocity
Design Wind Pressure P at height z ASCE7
Pz = q*G*Cp – qi(G*Cpi)
Velocity Pressure ASCE7 Eq (6-15)
qz = (Kz*Kzt*Kd*V^2*I)
Design Wind Force ASCE7 Eq (6-25)
F = qz*G*Cf*D Pz
39.37psf qz
35.07
psf F
157.48
(lb/ft)

8. COMSOL
A finite element analysis (FEA), solver, and simulation software.
Simple truss designed in COMSOL
COMSOL shows the deformation of the truss from the forces

9. Timeline
Research standards for wind turbine support structures 02/21/2014 – 02/25/2014 FINISHED
Calculate loads, vertical, horizontal, max wind, and vibration 02/25/ /05/2014 FINISHED
Design lattice structure and foundation using COMSOL 03/05/2014 – 03/15/2014 IN PROGRESS
Survey land and test a soil sample 03/15/2014 – 03/28/2014 FINISHED
Order/Pickup parts and tools 03/20/2014 – 03/28/2014
Build the support structure 03/28/2014 – 05/05/2014
Finish 05/05/2014 – 05/09/2014
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10. Looking Ahead Complete COMSOL model and finalize materials list
Estimate cost of materials
Order materials
Lay foundation
Construct tower in sections and assemble on site