Measuring Stresses and Strains in Difficult Environments
This article discusses the design and capability of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems deployed on offshore wind turbines. The application of SHM systems in difficult environments is a particularly challenging task, where ease of installation, ruggedness and reliability of equipment is essential in providing the key information of the structural integrity of offshore wind turbine towers. This is required to evaluate the structural response, status and remaining operational life of the structure.
By Paul Faulkner, Senior Product Manager, and Mark Hassell, Business Development Manager, Strainstall Monitoring , UK
Strainstall Monitoring were approached by a number of power generation companies and subsequently contracted to carry out testing on a number of wind turbines at initially four of the twelve wind farm sites around the UK coastline. Strain gauges, displacement sensors and accelerometers have been installed between the monopile transition piece and the main tower to measure displacement and strain, and on the main tower bending, torque and axial load.
