What FEA can be used in:

The whole tower analysis Detailed analysis of opening Detailed analysis of the connections

Prof. Ch. Baniotopoulos

I. Lavassas, G. Nikolaidis, P.Zervas

Institute of Steel Structures Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Greece
HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Need for using a FE model

A wind turbine tower is a simple cantilever.
Assuming uniform wind pressure along its height, moment & shear force at any point can be calculated directly regardless of the tower configuration

Ft M G
t

Even when tower wind pressure is a function of height [ p=p(h) ] , moment & shear at the base can be calculated also by simple integrations of the load function
H

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

- h

Need for using a FE model

Ft
Meridional stress for local buckling check can also be easily calculated by hand

M G

Tower displacements & eigenmodes cant be calculated so easily because of the change of the elastic characteristics of the cantilever along its height.
For this calculation a computational model is needed
H

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

- h

Need for using a FE model

Computational model (Linear):
All sections of the tower are simulated via linear beam elements. Rotor & blade system is simulated as a mass at the top of the tower placed with eccentricity Soil-structure interaction can be simulated by the use of a rotational spring at tower base

By the use of a linear model we can calculate tower displacements and perform an eigenvalue analysis with accurate results.
So whats the need for a Finite Element model?

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

mi

Need for using a FE model

Cross section of the tower is deformed due to the wind loads

Stress concentration at the door position cannot be estimated by a linear model Bolt forces at flange positions cannot be calculated from the linear model. A special FE model is needed. Anchor forces and the stress state of the concrete on anchoring position need to be determined.

Soil-structure interaction affects the tower dynamic characteristics, and its displacements for wind loading.

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Need for using a FE model

Wind pressure distribution over the circumference of the tower causes ovalling of the circular tower section
But when it comes to the positions where the tower section is much stiffer (flange & support positions) , the section shape is forced to be circular. This causes circumferencial stresses to the shell near flange positions In buckling check (EC 3-1-6) not only meridional stress but circumferencial & shear stresses are used in combination as well

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modern Finite Element Software

A few years ago, developing of a complex Finite Element model was very difficult due to: Need of expensive big computers (and expensive software) to run a non-linear analysis Too much effort for developing the FE model geometry and loading To much effort by hand to interpret the results (stress integrations etc).

Modern Finite Element software that can run on a simple PC offer: Direct input of the geometry from CAD software CAD capabilities inside the FEM software Geometrical & material non-linear analysis capabilities Unilateral contact with friction capabilities Non-linear analysis now can run on a personal computer Automatic procedures for results interpretation Interfaces to join with design software

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies
Modelling Strategies can be described by the chart below:
Overall model Linear Foundation FE model

Foundation included

Separate model for the Foundation

Foundation model
Linear (grid on elastic support) FE model (including anchoring detail)

Details (Flanges, Door position etc) : Finite Elements Included to the general model Separate models for the details

Three different strategies will be presented

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 1:Linear model

1: Linear model for the tower, and analytical detailed FE models to the door and flange positions

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 1:Linear model

FE model for the flanges and for the anchoring system

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 1:Linear model

Flanges are modelled using plate elements Bolts are placed as linear elements connecting the flanges active only in tension All other nodes are connected thru unilateral contact elements. Moment & shear force is applied distributed to the circumference.

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 1:Linear model

Advantages:

Easy developing of the general model and the part models Fast calculation (on a simple PC: instant calculation for the overall model & 10-15 minutes for the non-linear models of the flanges) Easy change of the model configuration

Disadvantages:

Circumferencial variation of the tower loads cannot be introduced Boundary conditions for the part models need to be estimated Only meridional stress can be calculated Circumferencial & shear stresses are neglected EC 3-1-6 requires the complete stress-state (meridional, circumferencial & shear) for the buckling check Only Axial & Shear forces and Bending moment are available to be applied to the part models. Inplane deformation of the tower due to the wind load distribution is neglected Soil-structure interaction is neglected or need to be estimated by introducing a rotational spring on tower support

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 1:Linear model

Modelling the foundation by linear elements (grid of beams on unilateral elastic support) to simulate soil-structure interaction

Simulates soil-structure interaction Good for the design of the foundation It doesnt give an answer to the stress state of the anchoring system

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 2:Simple FE model

Simple FE model for the tower, and corresponding analytical FE models to the door and flange positions

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies - 2:Simple FE model

Advantages:

Fast calculation in PC (about 1-2 minutes a run for the general model and about 10-15 minutes for the non-linear analysis of the flange models) Estimation of the full stress-state on any point

Disadvantages:

Boundary conditions for the part models need to be estimated Much effort is needed for the transfer by hand the stress-state of a specific cross-section to the corresponding cross-section of the part model. Soil-structure interaction is neglected or need to be estimated by introducing springs on tower support

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies - 3:Detailed FE model

1: Complete detailed model for the tower and the foundation

Shell skirts are modelled using shell elements Flanges are modelled using brick elements Foundation is modeled using brick elements Unilateral contact to the ground

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling Strategies 3: Detailed FE model

Model details to the flange positions

Connection type for the flanges

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed FE model

Simulation of the eccentricity of mass at the top of the tower Top-flange is undeformed in-plane (rigid links connection).

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3: Detailed FE model

Modelling of the tower- foundation anchoring

Embedded flange to the concrete Partially prestressed anchors inside (but not connected to) the concrete Unilateral contact between flanges & concrete

Collapse due to anchoring system failure Nanamata, Japan

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed FE model

Foundation Modelling: Concrete & shrink-mortar : Brick elements Washer plates : Plate elements Anchors : cable type elements active only in tension Unilateral contact to the ground

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed Fe model Cross-section to the foundation

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed Fe model

Anchoring Modelling detail Each anchor is a single element connecting only the washer plates (active in tension) Unilateral contact conditions between the base washer plate and the shrink mortar & between the embeded washer plate and the concrete

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed Fe model

Design of the foundation-anchoring system

Washer & base plates

(von Mises stresses)

Prestressed anchors (tensile forces) Non-shrink mortar (compressive & shear stresses) Concrete (compressive,shear & punching shear stresses) Reinforcing bars

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies 3:Detailed Fe model

Reinforcing bars check points 1,2 : 3,4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : Footing, bottom mesh Footing, top mesh Top of pedestal mesh Pedestal vertical rebars (transfer of tensile anchor forces) Circumferencial reinforecement (split-up forces)

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Modelling strategies - 3:Detailed FE model

Advantages:

Estimation of the full stress-state on any point

Best possible approximation to the real-world situation

No transfer of loads is needed from one model to another No need to estimate any partial model boundary conditions

Disadvantages:

Big effort for developing the FE model Changes to the model are difficult Non-linear calculation needs time to run on a personal computer (can take 4-5 hours a run on a modern PC)

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Tower loads Vertical loads

Self mass & weight is estimated directly by the FE software The rotor & nacelle mass is applied to the top of the tower distributed to the nodes of the upper flange taking into account the eccentricity
(mass instead of loads, to be used in spectrum analysis as well)

Wind loads
At the top of the tower, rotor forces and moments are applied At tower stem wind pressure is calculated acc. EC1-1-4 as a logarithmic function of z.

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Types of analysis

Types of analysis for buckling check EC 3-1-6, LS3 (Buckling limit state):

LA (Linear analysis) MNA & LBA (Material non-linear analysis & Linear buckling analysis) GMNIA (Geometric & material non-linear analysis with imperfections)

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Types of analysis

Seismic loading:
Response spectrum analysis for the seismic loading must be performed

Additional time history harmonic response analysis for the seismic loading
(only in extreme cases) Due to the distributed mass of the tower itself two eigenmodes are participating. Equivalent lateral load method cannot be used
0

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

mi

Comparison of results Wind loading

Tower displacements for the linear model vs FE models Linear model is accurate to the estimation of displacements for wind loading.

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Comparison of the results Eigenvalue analysis

1st & 3rd mode shapes for the three models

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Comparison of results

Comparison of the results for the three models

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031

Conclusions:
Although the use of an overall complex Finite Element model needs more calculation effort, it is necesary in order to establish a better approach the stress state on the structure With modern Finite Element software such a nonlinear analysis can be run on a simple personal computer The cost of developing such a model is extremely small compared with the budget of a single aeolic park installation Simplified models (linear model, even hand-calculation) are also necessary to develop in paralell, for initial design, and for checking the results of the FE model

HISTWIN-High strength steel tower for wind turbines - RFSR-CT-2005-00031