GRAVITY-BASED FOUNDATION FOR OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES

摘要

Gravity-based foundation for offshore wind turbines, which is manufactured using floating-dock technology and is constituted by a circular-section caisson (1), which is made lighter internally by means of hollow cells (11, 12, 13), and which is closed at the top by means of one or more covers (16), the central cell (13) of which is extended in the form of a mast (2) made from post-tensioned concrete, to which the metal tower (4) supporting the wind turbine is connected. The cells (11, 12, 13) of the caisson are filled with a solid ballast (8) with the aim of lowering the centre of gravity of the caisson, such that the design of the foundation overall enables the latter to be towed and sunk to the seabed offshore without the need for special craft or the use of additional buoyancy means, such that at every stage the conditions of naval stability are sufficient.