Title:
Phase One of Wind Project Winds Down
Author(s):
Annelies Demuynck and Nathalie Gunst
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
30
Issue:
10
Appears on pages(s):
41-45
Keywords:
foundation; marine environment; post-tensioned concrete; precast concrete
DOI:
Date:
10/1/2008
Abstract:
Near the end of July 2008, the first of six wind turbine foundations was set at the Thornton Bank Wind Farm, located in the North Sea on a 20 km (12.4 mile) long sand bank near the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. The wind farm is located in almost 30 m (100 ft) deep water and nearly 30 km (18.6 miles) out into the sea, making it invisible from the Belgian coastline. To cope with the demanding loads and environmental conditions, the wind turbines use gravity base foundations made of precast concrete with vertical post-tensioning. The construction of the foundations was a major challenge not only because of the harsh environment, but also because of the innovative method used to install them. Plans call for 54 additional wind turbines.