Calculation Method for the Detachment Range and Contact Stress of Horizontal Joints of Precast Concrete Wind Turbine Tower

ABSTRACT

With the increasing demand for high wind turbine towers, precast concrete towers have been widely used as an economical and applicable form. This paper proposes a calculation method for the detachment range and contact stress of horizontal joints in precast circular towers, considering the issue of horizontal joint detachment. A convenient table for designers is summarized. By determining the four parameters of the inner diameter, outer diameter, vertical force, and bending moment of the circular cross‐section, the detachment range and the maximum contact stress of horizontal joints can be calculated using the table lookup method. The detachment range and the maximum contact stress are usually the two most concerned parameters for designers. Subsequently, the proposed calculation method is validated by comparing with the finite element simulation results and the calculation results brought by other scholars. Finally, this paper also explores the effects of vertical joints and torque load on the detachment range and contact stress of tower horizontal joints, pointing out that considering both vertical joints and torque load will significantly weaken the integrity of the tower. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly connect the vertical joints of precast segmented towers to limit the relative displacement and separation.