Non-linear finite element analysis (NL-FEA) can save up to 30% in steel reinforcement costs for concrete structures for wind turbine foundations. Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari is already achieving this cost-saving level on a renewable energy project in Madagascar, says Professor Pierre van der Spuy, Associate, Zutari.
Sourcing materials for such a remote location is logistically complex, adding significantly to the total project cost. Any possible saving has a much more significant impact than the material cost alone. While NL-FEA is not intended as a mainstream design solution, it is ideal for once-off structures like wind turbine foundations.
Given the large number of renewable energy projects South Africa plans to have up and running within the next couple of years, optimising these at the design stage will fast-track the rollout and reduce costs.
A standard wind turbine foundation contains about 120 kg of reinforcement per cubic metre of concrete, equating to about R1.5 million of reinforcement per foundation. Using NL-FEA design to reduce the reinforcement per foundation by up to 30% for a wind farm of 30 wind turbines equates to a staggering R13.5 million saving, plus a significant reduction in the carbon footprint.
“We are trying to be more accurate in looking at prestressed or reinforced concrete structures to reduce the project risk. The result is considerable savings for both client and contractor,” says Professor van der Spuy.
Conventional FEA packages operate in the linear-elastic regime of concrete and other materials. On the other hand, NL-FEA develops accurate material models for concrete that consider softening post-yield until ultimate failure occurs.
“Rather than being conservative in our approach towards concrete structures, we aim to be more accurate,” highlights Professor van der Spuy. Concrete is a non-linear material that resists tension but endures compression. Therefore, capturing its true behaviour as a material is difficult with conventional FEA packages.
“By adopting NL-FEA instead, we can utilise the material’s true properties in a way that cannot be done otherwise in a linear method or through hand calculations, both methods that err on the side of caution,” says Professor van der Spuy.
NL-FEA dives into the heart of concrete, presenting opportunities in other areas like forensics. “Fortunately, concrete structures do not collapse that often. In such situations, we can look at the behaviour of a specific part of a structure and achieve much more accurate results than with standard methodologies,” says Professor van der Spuy.
Another application is bridge engineering, where many of South Africa’s bridges are 50, 60 and even 70 years old. Assessing these structures using conventional methods often recommends that they be demolished or strengthened as they no longer comply with modern criteria and standards. However, NL-FEA is far more refined and accurate in looking at particular sections only, preventing the entire structure from being condemned.
It is even possible to apply NL-FEA to other concrete-intensive infrastructures such as dam walls, which typically have heat problems as the concrete hydrates. “The software even allows us to model cooling pipes in concrete,” says Professor van der Spuy. Regarding wind turbine foundations, NL-FEA design can be used to tweak the geometry so that any heat build-up is dissipated toward the edges.
“It is a bit more effort from the design perspective, but the benefit is so vast from a construction perspective that additional design costs are easily offset.” Zutari is not reinventing the wheel, as a European company is already using the method for wind turbine foundation design. “We are bringing this methodology to the local market as an affordable design option with significant benefits,” concludes Professor van der Spuy.
