Ermüdungsverhalten von Beton unter zyklischer Beanspruchung aus dem Betrieb von Windenergieanlagen

Concrete fatigue behaviour under cyclic loading from the operation of wind turbine generators

When it comes to the verification of characteristic sections in the structures for wind turbine generators under cyclic loading, various questions are known in the current design practice. Thus, the German building authorities "Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt)" commissioned the status report "Concrete fatigue behaviour under cyclic loading from the operation of wind turbine generators" [1]. The intention of the investigations was to establish an objective criterion for the assessment of current design principles for cyclic loading from the operation of wind turbine generators. For this purpose, theoretical and experimental examinations providing a basis for the present approaches in existing codes and regulations were assembled and evaluated. In addition, advanced design approaches from literature were summarised and compared. Following this, comparative calculations concerning the resistance against concrete fatigue for typical impacts from wind turbine generators were performed. Based on these examinations and in consideration of the particular loading scenarios of structures for wind turbine generators, the need for further research was identified and recommendations for theoretical and experimental investigations were developed. The investigations and significant results are summarised in the present report.