Fatigue Simulation of RC and R/FRC Wind Turbine Foundations for Lifespan Extension

As wind farms age, owners encounter pivotal decisions about either extending the operational lifespan of their facilities or pursuing complete decommissioning and repowering. Apart from the commercial factors guiding these choices, technical considerations must be assessed to gauge the risks associated with the continued operation of an aging fleet. In the context of onshore wind turbines, reinforced concrete shallow foundations stand as crucial components. Typically designed for a 20-year lifespan, there exists a pressing need to extend the life of foundations installed over 15 years ago. Both foundations and other structural turbine components endure cyclic fatigue loads. The utilization of fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) presents enhanced competitiveness by reducing the need for traditional reinforcement, expediting construction, and delivering sustainability benefits. Furthermore, incorporating fibres can enhance fatigue behaviour, thereby positively impacting the service life of the foundation. This paper presents a preliminary numerical investigation into the influence of added fibres on the fatigue behaviour of wind tower foundations. The fatigue performance of the FRC foundation is compared with the standard behaviour of a conventional reinforced concrete foundation.