Initial observations from monitoring the in-situ performance of a community-scale wind turbine support structure

Structural monitoring of a small wind turbine has been ongoing to measure the in-situ structural response of the turbine. The measurements provide valuable information for the design, construction, and performance of wind turbine structures during normal operating and extreme wind events. The turbine instrumentation includes strain gauges located on the tower anchor bolts and at two locations along the tower height. The measurements provide information on the anchor bolt initial prestressing and losses during turbine erection. In-service monitoring provides structural forces on the tower and foundation, certain dynamic characteristics of the turbine, and fatigue demand data. Results of future monitoring investigations will provide important information on the behavior and structural design requirements of wind turbine support structures.