An elastomeric spring bearing improves the stability of the 90-monopole wind turbine foundations at a wind farm off the U.K. coast. The steel and rubber bearings reduce stress on a grouted connection in the wind turbine foundation. Grout fills the gap between an inner-foundation pipe and outer-transition piece of the foundation. It must withstand the tower’s vertical weight and lateral loads. Foundations are a 50-m long, 5-m dia steel pipe piled 30m into the seabed. Below water level, a larger diameter transition piece pipe fits over the foundation for 7 to 8m and extends above water to a flange to attach the wind turbine tower.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions
www.Trelleborg.com
Filed Under: Bearings, Components, Offshore wind, Turbines