Structural Analysis and Design of a Pedestrian Bridge Constructed from a Single Wind Turbine Blade Girder
摘要
This paper describes the design and structural analysis of a 15-m span pedestrian bridge consisting of a single wind turbine blade girder flanked by two decks on each side. The paper builds on prior work presented at CICE 2023 that reviews the possible configurations of blade bridges given their geometric, material, and structural properties. The paper begins by reviewing the repurposing of FRP composite wind turbine blades in load bearing applications and introduces a new, “Monogirder” bridge design concept. The paper goes son to present the design considerations for a repurposed pedestrian bridge, including applicable design codes, material properties, and connections to the wind turbine blade. A detailed finite element model of the bridge is constructed using composite laminate properties and geometry provided by the wind turbine blade manufacturer. This detailed model is used to predict both strength and buckling failure modes, along with assessments of serviceability requirements such as deflection and vibration modes. The results demonstrate that the design meets the strength and serviceability requirements of current bridge and composite material codes. The fabrication and installation of the bridge is ongoing and will be highlighted at the CICE presentation.