Static Behavior Study for Latticed Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Wind Turbine Tower Joints

Abstract

Six latticed concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) wind turbine tower K-shape joints were carried on the static load test, which included the weld intersecting joint and gusset plate joint. The failure mechanism and characteristics on the two kinds of K-shape joints, the deformation development process after joints entered plastic stage and the stress state and distribution of joint intersection area were studied. The results show that the failure mode and mechanical behavior of CFST K-shape joints are greatly different from that of the hollow steel tube K-shape joints because of the existence of core concrete, the failure mode of the weld intersecting joints showed the local buckling of compression web member and that of the gusset plate joints presented as the compression buckling and tension tearing of the gusset plates, while the plastic deformation failure of tower column tube wall in joint area was not appear. It is also shown by test results that the stress distribution of tower column tube wall and gusset plate in joint intersection is extremely non-uniform, individual parts already enter plastic state but some other parts are still in elastic state. According to the failure mode and stress distribution conditions of the two kinds of K-shape joints, some design suggestions are drawn, which can provide reference for the latticed CFST wind turbine tower joints.