wind turbine tower design-general question 1

[ILLINI99]

Does anyone know of a good reference for wind turbine tower design? Also, what code is typically used in the tower design?

Thanks in advance,
Illini99

 

[structuresguy]

Where are you located? The standard for tower design is IEC 61400, which is a European publication. There is no equivalent in the US. Canada has adopted this standard, with some revisions. I'm not sure for other areas of the world. Typically, in the US and Canada, the applicable building code (IBC, NBCC, etc) applies to the tower design.

You can order it here:

http://webstore.iec.ch/Webstore/web...?Openform&key=61400&sorting=&start=1&onglet=1

 

[structuresguy]

The Canadian versions of the tower standard can be ordered here:

http://www.shopcsa.ca/onlinestore/ISO_Search_Results.asp?query=61400

 

[ILLINI99]

I am located in Illinois.

 

[structuresguy]

Well, I would say that IBC & ASCE 7 would govern the general loading, but you should definitely follow the criteria in the IEC document as well.

 

[racookpe1978]

Hint. 8<)

If your design isn't strong enough, you may still be in Illinois, but the turbine might be spread all over IL, IN, OH, and PA ......

 

[a2mfk]

Just from reading Pop Sci and watching Discovery Channel, I think these are usually large, sometimes segmental, proprietary shapes, large hollow sections... Each company comes up with their own design, high tech FES designs, likely tested in wind tunnels for all of the complicated dynamic wind, prop, and dynamic loading conditions...

Out of curiosity, this doesn't seem like a type of design you'd stumble into or try out on your own?

 

[ILLINI99]

a2mfk,

In rural Illinois you will sometimes see smaller turbines on farms. This is basically what I am lookin into (~60'-100' tall). It was requested that this be done with no guy wires also.

 

[CastMetal]

I know of a hobbyist inventor that has built over a dozen wind turbines of varying design in his basement. While the industrial wind turbines may be of much higher efficiency (both KW/$ KW/hr). This should not be a huge deterrent to those interested. Many irrigation systems in locals away from the grid can be serviced by simple(er) wind turbines.

I do advise planning for the worst. An old boss told me a story of a turbine he designed and implemented in the early 90's , went up on friday, came down on sunday, and he was fired monday.