Wind energy has emerged as a promising and renewable solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in remote off-grid locations. Conventional wind turbine towers are made from concrete or steel, which present several significant drawbacks in certain applications. The use of lightweight and corrosion-resistant fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) tubes as permanent structural formwork can mitigate these challenges. Existing literature has highlighted the performance of concrete-filled FRP tubes (CFFTs) through experiments and successful applications in the field. However, only a few cantilever CFFTs have been tested, and their sizes were much smaller than required for wind turbine towers. In consequence, this thesis focuses on relatively large cantilever CFFTs at a scale representative of small wind turbine towers. The finite element (FE) method was adopted to simulate the behaviour of CFFT towers using the commercial software ABAQUS. The first part of this thesis presents the development and validation of CFFT FE models under bending and axial loading conditions, as well as hollow FRP tubes under bending. The models were compared to experimental results reported by Fam (2000) to ensure the selection of appropriate material properties. Good agreements were observed, and the accuracy of the FE modelling approach was proved. Subsequently, a parametric study was conducted to explore the feasibility of CFFTs for wind turbine towers. The analyses of cantilever towers with different geometric properties and reinforcement configurations under concentrated lateral load were performed first. Then, a cantilever CFFT tower under different loading configurations was tested. It is noted that towers subjected to concentrated load had the lowest load capacity and stiffness. Conclusions were made that with or without axial load, lateral load eccentricity does not affect the behaviour of cantilever CFFTs significantly. Meanwhile, the increase in height-to-diameter ratio decreases the load capacity and stiffness of cantilever CFFTs. Finally, the CFFT tower results were compared with concrete and steel tubular models with similar geometry. The results suggest that CFFTs have better overall performance than the other two types of towers. They are also superior with respect to flexibility in installation and their durability.

Submerged arc welding (SAW) is commonly used for fabricating large diameter linepipes, pressure vessels and wind turbine towers due to its high deposition rate, high quality welds, ease of automation and low operator skill requirement. In order to achieve high melting efficiency required for high productivity, best weld quality and good mechanical properties in manufacturing industries, the welding process parameters need to be optimized. In this study, the effect of SAW current and speed on the physical and mechanical properties of ASME SA516 Gr. 70 (pressure vessel steel) and ASTM A709 Gr. 50 (wind turbine tower steel) were investigated. Three welding currents (700 A, 800 A and 850 A) and four travel speeds (5.9, 9.3, 12.3 and 15.3 mm/s) were used to weld sample plates measuring 915 mm x 122 mm x 17 mm. The weld quality and properties were evaluated using weld geometry measurements, visual inspection, ultrasonic inspection, hardness measurements, optical microscopy, tensile testing, Charpy impact testing and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the physical and mechanical properties of the weldments were affected by SAW parameters. Severe undercuts were found at high travel speed and welding current. Low heat input caused lack of penetration defects to form in the weldments. The welding process melting efficiency (WPME) achieved was up to 80%. The hardness of the coarse grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) and the weld metal increased with travel speed. The toughness of both materials increased with increasing travel speed and welding current. The yield and tensile strengths of the weldments of SA516 Gr.70 and A709 Gr.50 steels were within the same range as those of their respective parent metals because all test specimens broke in the parent metals. Also, the parent metals of both steels had the highest fracture strain and percent elongation. The percentage elongation increased with travel speed but decreased with welding current.

Submerged arc welding (SAW) is commonly used for fabricating large diameter linepipes, pressure vessels and wind turbine towers due to its high deposition rate, high quality welds, ease of automation and low operator skill requirement. In order to achieve high melting efficiency required for high productivity, best weld quality and good mechanical properties in manufacturing industries, the welding process parameters need to be optimized. In this study, the effect of SAW current and speed on the physical and mechanical properties of ASME SA516 Gr. 70 (pressure vessel steel) and ASTM A709 Gr. 50 (wind turbine tower steel) were investigated. Three welding currents (700 A, 800 A and 850 A) and four travel speeds (5.9, 9.3, 12.3 and 15.3 mm/s) were used to weld sample plates measuring 915 mm x 122 mm x 17 mm. The weld quality and properties were evaluated using weld geometry measurements, visual inspection, ultrasonic inspection, hardness measurements, optical microscopy, tensile testing, Charpy impact testing and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the physical and mechanical properties of the weldments were affected by SAW parameters. Severe undercuts were found at high travel speed and welding current. Low heat input caused lack of penetration defects to form in the weldments. The welding process melting efficiency (WPME) achieved was up to 80%. The hardness of the coarse grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) and the weld metal increased with travel speed. The toughness of both materials increased with increasing travel speed and welding current. The yield and tensile strengths of the weldments of SA516 Gr.70 and A709 Gr.50 steels were within the same range as those of their respective parent metals because all test specimens broke in the parent metals. Also, the parent metals of both steels had the highest fracture strain and percent elongation. The percentage elongation increased with travel speed but decreased with welding current.

Increasing energy demand and carbon emissions have driven the development of alternative energy solutions. One promising technology is wind energy. Wind energy technology developments has advanced substantially since the 1980s. Offshore wind turbines have become a major research focus, due to the promising offshore wind resource. However, challenges in offshore wind energy have arisen due to the additional wave loading and strong wind loads. Structural control systems have been implemented and researched in order to decrease dynamic response of these systems. The previous studies were successful at decreasing fatigue loads in the tower and support structure of offshore wind turbines. Giving these results, it is still unknown if the reduced loading enabled by structural control systems can allow for reduced material costs in the major structural components. This research examines on an offshore wind turbine's tower-monopile structure by adding several configurations of passive tuned mass dampers, while simultaneously reducing the thickness of the structure in order to reduce costs. A range of candidate tower-monopile systems are created, and simulated in FAST-SC with and without passive tuned mass dampers. Fatigue and ultimate loads are calculated and analyzed. A variety of design criteria are considered including fatigue and ultimate loads, as well as local and global buckling. The results demonstrate that the tower-monopile thickness may be reduced up to 6.2% and still satisfy all design criteria.

Submitted by Cátia Araújo (catia.araujo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-01-25T13:05:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Resposta e controle das vibrações de uma torre eólica usando MR-TLCD (magneto reológico-amortecedor de coluna liquida sintonizada).pdf: 11585143 bytes, checksum: 5e1cc7e29c5d0f247a939325b0a384fe (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Cátia Araújo (catia.araujo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-01-25T13:06:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Resposta e controle das vibrações de uma torre eólica usando MR-TLCD (magneto reológico-amortecedor de coluna liquida sintonizada).pdf: 11585143 bytes, checksum: 5e1cc7e29c5d0f247a939325b0a384fe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-25T13:06:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Resposta e controle das vibrações de uma torre eólica usando MR-TLCD (magneto reológico-amortecedor de coluna liquida sintonizada).pdf: 11585143 bytes, checksum: 5e1cc7e29c5d0f247a939325b0a384fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-25 / As torres eólicas são estruturas esbeltas projetadas para resistir a efeitos dinâmicos da ação do vento. Uma vez excitada, a torre pode entrar em ressonância ocasionando ruptura e falhas em sua estrutura, pás e rotores. Além de evitar possíveis falhas catastróficas, o sistema de amortecimento pode prevenir fadiga prematura de componentes estruturais da torre, entre eles, o gerador e as pás. A presença de amortecimento limita a amplitude de vibração quando o sistema, que sofre vibração forçada, aproxima-se da ressonância. Dentro desse contexto, foi elaborado um modelo numérico de uma torre eólica que determina a resposta da mesma sob uma excitação forçada. A excitação se deu por meio de um motor de corrente contínua desbalanceado, localizado no topo da torre. A estrutura analisada é composta por uma coluna metálica com um motor elétrico de corrente contínua desbalanceado e acoplado a um amortecedor do tipo MR-TLCD (Tuned Liquid Column Dampers with magnetorheological). Neste trabalho, foi utilizado um amortecedor semiativo, no qual consiste de um tubo em formato de ‘U’ e utiliza o fluido magneto-reológico, onde este impede o movimento de grandes amplitudes sujeito à ação de forças externas. No MR-TLCD é possível diminuir a energia cinética do fluido através da válvula de controle. O Magneto Reológico, quando submetido a um campo magnético, aumenta significativamente a sua viscosidade aparente. A equação de movimento do sistema acoplado entre a torre, motor elétrico e MRTLCD foi formulado através das equações de Lagrange. Nesta dissertação, apresentam-se as respostas dinâmicas regulares e caóticas de uma torre eólica com um amortecedor do tipo MR-TLCD através do método numérico da dinâmica não linear, utilizando-se da série temporal, do retrato de fase, do espectro de Fourier (FFT) e das curvas de ressonância. Com ensaios experimentais foram obtidos os valores dos parâmetros das configurações físicas e geométricas da estrutura a serem utilizados nas experiências numéricas. / The wind towers are slender structures designed to handle the dynamic effects of wind action. A once excited, the tower can resonate causing rupture and failures in structure, blades and rotors. Besides preventing possible catastrophic failure the damping system could prevent premature fatigue in structural components of the tower between them the rotor and blades. The presence of damping vibration is limited when the system suffer forced vibration approaches of the resonance. In this context was developed a numerical model of a wind tower which determines the response of the structure under a forced excitation. The excitation was done by a dc motor unbalanced situated on the top of the tower. The structure consists of a metallic column with an electric unbalanced dc motor attached to a MR-TLCD damper. This dissertation was presented a Semi-active damper in which consists in U-tube format using magneto rheological fluid (Tuned Liquid Column Dampers with magneto rheological, MR-TLCD). The fluid existing inside the U-tube prevents the movement of large amplitude subject to the actions of external loads. In MR-TLCD is possible to reduce the kinetic energy of the fluid through the control valve. The fluid used in this work, when exposed in a magnetic field significantly increases its apparent viscosity. The motion equation of coupled system between the tower, electric motor and MRTLCD was formulated using the Lagrange equations. This dissertation was presented the regular and chaotic dynamic of a tower using a MR-TLCD damper through the numerical method of nonlinear dynamics, utilizing a time series, phase portrait, Fourier spectrum (FFT) and resonance curves. The characteristic of experimental model was used for developed the numerical model. Also the free vibration tests were utilized for determine the structural parameters of the system.

The seismic response of steel monopole wind turbine towers is investigated and their risk is assessed in the Canadian seismic environment. This topic is of concern as wind turbines are increasingly being installed in seismic areas and design codes do not clearly address this aspect of design. An implicit finite element model of a 1.65MW tower was developed and validated. Incremental dynamic analysis was carried out to evaluate its behaviour under seismic excitation, to define several damage states, and to develop a framework for determining its probability of damage. This framework was implemented in two Canadian locations, where the risk was found to be low for the seismic hazard level prescribed for buildings. However, the design of wind turbine towers is subject to change, as is the design spectrum. Thus, a methodology is outlined to thoroughly investigate the probability of reaching predetermined damage states under seismic loading for future considerations.

The seismic response of steel monopole wind turbine towers is investigated and their risk is assessed in the Canadian seismic environment. This topic is of concern as wind turbines are increasingly being installed in seismic areas and design codes do not clearly address this aspect of design. An implicit finite element model of a 1.65MW tower was developed and validated. Incremental dynamic analysis was carried out to evaluate its behaviour under seismic excitation, to define several damage states, and to develop a framework for determining its probability of damage. This framework was implemented in two Canadian locations, where the risk was found to be low for the seismic hazard level prescribed for buildings. However, the design of wind turbine towers is subject to change, as is the design spectrum. Thus, a methodology is outlined to thoroughly investigate the probability of reaching predetermined damage states under seismic loading for future considerations.

A renewed commitment in the United States and abroad to electricity from renewable resources, such as wind, along with the recent deployment of very large turbines that rise to new heights, makes obtaining the most efficient and safe designs of the structures that support them ever more important. Towards this goal, the present research seeks to understand how optimization concepts and Microsoft Excel's optimization capabilities can be used in the design of wind turbine towers and foundations. Additionally, this research expands on the work of previous researchers to study how considering the tower and foundation as an integral system, where tower support conditions are not perfectly rigid, affects the optimal design. Specifically, optimization problems are formulated and solved with and without taking into account the effect of deflections, resulting from the foundation's rotational and horizontal stiffness, on natural frequency calculations. The general methodology used to transcribe the design of wind turbine towers and foundations into an optimization problem includes: 1) collecting information on design requirements and parameter values 2) deciding how to analyze the structure 3) formulating the optimization problem 4) implementation using Microsoft Excel. Key assumptions include: 1) use of an equivalent lumped mass method for estimating natural frequency 2) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-1 extreme loading condition controls design (i.e. fatigue loading condition is not considered) 3) extreme loads are obtained from manufacturer provided structural load document that satisfies loading cases outlined in IEC 61400-1 4) wind forces on the tower are calculated in accordance with IEC 61400-1 5) optimization variables are continuous. The sum of the tower material and fabrication cost and the total foundation cost is taken as the objective function. Important conclusions from this work include: 1) optimization concepts and Microsoft Excel's optimization capabilities can be used to obtain reasonable conceptual level designs and cost estimates 2) detailed designs and cost estimates could be achieved using a solver capable of handling discrete optimization problems 3) considering the tower and foundation as an integral system results in a more expensive, but safer, design 4) for the assumed parameter values, the constraint on the tower's natural frequency was found to control the tower design and the bearing capacity constraint was found to control the foundation design 5) relaxing or tightening the limit on the natural frequency will result in the greatest benefit or penalty, respectively, on the optimum solution.