Wind turbines foundations grouting

Grout is an extra high properties material that is normally used in wind farm construction just below the tower flange, above the foundation.

It is a transition material, designed to have a very high fatigue resistance. All the dynamic loads need to be transferred and absorbed by the grout connecting the tower to the foundation structure.

Grout is volume stable and his resistance grow very quickly (it is faster than normal concrete in achieving a relevant percentage of his final value, and it has a very low porosity and water absorption.

Thanks to the rapid strength build-up, it allows earlier pre-stressing of anchors at all temperature ranges (it is normal to work between 2 and 30 degrees): a short hardening time permit a short overall installation times and earlier operation of the wind farm.

In the picture you can see how it is prepared. We are working by night, because the temperature was real high during the day (more than 38 degree). In cold wind farm we need to use thermal blanket to keep the grout warm.

First of all pipe are lubricated with standard Portland cement slurry. Then, grouting is prepared in the mixing machines. We are using 2 machines in parallel because mixing time (minimum 7 minutes) is about 2 times the time needed to empty the mixer. Water consumption was 2.25 liters for every 25 Kg grout bag.

After the grout is tested: a “pizza” is made to see if the viscosity is right (not too dense, not too liquid). The technical name of the test is ASTM C230 ring.

When it’s considered ready, the small channel between the tower and the foundation is quickly cleaned and the grout is pumped from the highest point of the circumference (it should be leveled, but there are always small difference in elevation.

It can’t be vibrated, so a steel rebar is used to shake it a little. We needed around 2 hours to fill the channel. At the end of the work, pipes are cleaned pushing a sponge inside them to remove the rests of grout.

The grout slowly fill the empty space below the tower flange:

Meanwhile several samples are taken to test it: only 24 hours after we had the astonishing result of 62 N/mm2. Here you have the expected hardening curves:

Testing is normally made with 12 75 mm cubes, although cylinders are considered acceptable.

There are numerous producer of this material. In this wind farm we used chemical giant BAST “Masterflow 9200” grout designed specifically for Vestas. We employed around 96 x 25 Kg bags (2400 Kg).

4 responses to “Wind turbines foundations grouting”

  1. Patricio Avatar
    Patricio

    Thanks for this info.
    In our prjects we start using Masterflow 9200, with excelent results, but after the contractor suggested the use of other grout (Bautek) however the resutls were far from good. Certainly in the future we just have to use the one specified for VESTAS.

    1. Francesco Miceli Avatar

      Hello Patricio, if you need more information about Masterflow send me an email. I’ve got several files you might find useful.
      Regards, Francesco

  2. Aaron Avatar
    Aaron

    Interesting and useful overview of the grout procedure. I started doing grout 4 years ago. I found that mounting all of your equipment on 3 18 foot flatdecks makes for faster grout installations.

    A mixing trailer with the mixers bolted off the end and side with chutes and the pallets of heavy grout loaded over the wheels. A smaller pressure washing trailer with a cube or two of water bolted down. And a heater trailer with the diesel heater, light plant, 10 hoses and 8 insulated tarps and 20 pieces of wood dunnage for pre and post grout heating for a hard cure.

    I also found steel forms inside and out are necessary for a clean and focussed pour. Like you wrote foundations have slight varations of elevation. The grout can be grinded later and shaped slightly proud of the concrete for rainwater to flow safely off the foundation.

  3. Trung Le Avatar
    Trung Le

    Thanks for your posts

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