Obsolescence of Analytical Methods

Larger turbines suppose an increase in loads that finally requires more prominent foundations. Those dimensions lead to flexible behaviour. With the current foundation volumes, we are at the boundary of applicability of some analytical expressions widely used in foundation geotechnical and structural calculations, especially in the early stages of design, as they assume the foundation to be a rigid body. Two possible scenarios arise. If the analytical expressions are on the safe side that will lead to overpricing with an overestimated foundation volume. On the other hand, analytical expressions could lead to unsafe foundation design.