Analysis and design of the prototype of a steel 1-MW wind turbine tower

In the present paper, some basic features of the analysis and the design of the prototype of a steel 1 MW wind turbine tower are presented. The structure is 44,075 m high and has a tubular shape with variable cross section and variable thickness of the wall along its height. The steelwork has been manufactured by steel quality S355J2G3. For the simulation of its structural response, two different finite element models have been developed. Based on the results of the latter analyses, the design of the steel tower for gravity, seismic and wind loadings has been performed according to the relevant Eurocodes. In particular, regarding seismic loading, a dynamic phasmatic analysis of the tower has been carried out according to the Greek Antiseismic Code (EAK 2000). The structure has been also checked against fatigue by applying the respective Eurocodes methodology. In the last part of the paper, some points that concern the previous analysis and the respective design procedure are discussed in detail.