Experimentelle Untersuchung von ermüdungsbeanspruchten Betonstrukturen zur Feststellung des realen Schädigungsgrades

Experimental modelling of fatigue processes to detect the real degree of deterioration. Conceptual design of the fatigue tests at the Strabag-Gravity base in Cuxhaven

Engineering structures are subjected to continuous and increasing static and dynamic loads from artificial and natural environmental conditions (e.g. wind, traffic loads or wave loading on offshore wind turbine structures). Dynamic Loads can result in fatigue phenomena within the material concrete which are not totally explored even in their beginnings. Especially in the fields of Foundations for wind energy plants on- and offshore fatigue is a big problem. The Fatigue associated load combinations are mostly the decisive ones for design and dimensioning of the structure. The targets of the research are the development of a monitoring system for detecting the initiation or the early stage of a fatigue process in concrete and for the identification of the degree of deterioration in the concrete structure. The full scale model of a new type of gravity base foundation for offshore wind turbines in Cuxhaven projected by the Ed. Züblin AG is an optimal possibility to test the monitoring system within a concrete structure of real dimensions.
The objective of this contribution is to provide a short review of concrete fatigue properties, to discuss, demonstrate and portray preliminary analyses results which are decisive for the final fatigue test layout at the Strabag gravity base foundation in Cuxhaven. The conduction of the fatigue tests at the gravity base foundation are planned in the beginning of the year 2013.