Design of UHPC Wind Turbines

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has impressive characteristics in terms of fatigue and durability which seem perfectly suited for the erection of wind turbine masts. A two-stage feasibility study is carried out to come up with an efficient design for the tower. First, an approach using linear finite elements based on the beam theory enables to define the global geometry. Then the latter is checked locally through shell elements in order to perform the necessary updates. Finally, a construction sequence shows the advantage of such a material when combined with prestressing for the erection process.