When something unexpected happens, engineering judgement matters.
Wind turbines and their supporting structures face demanding conditions throughout their operational life. Damage, deterioration, changes in use or questions about remaining service life can create technical challenges that cannot be answered by a standard calculation alone.
WindBASE combines expertise in wind turbine foundations with knowledge across structural disciplines. Lifetime extension and damage analysis, as well as structural steel and protective coatings, are identified within WindBASE’s service portfolio.
From observation to engineering judgement
A technical issue rarely exists in isolation. A problem involving steel can have consequences for structural behaviour. Damage to a foundation may raise questions about concrete repair. Deterioration of a protective coating may require specialist assessment before determining the appropriate next step.
WindBASE approaches these questions from the perspective of the structure and the project as a whole.
Where specialist material investigation is required, we can work alongside dedicated testing or research specialists and interpret findings in their structural context.
Damage assessment and repair support
Our inspection and assessment expertise can be applied to wind turbine towers, foundations, transition pieces, secondary steelwork, flange and bolted connections, welded joints, corrosion protection systems and concrete structures.
Our engineers can support projects involving:
- damage to wind turbine foundations and concrete structures;
- deterioration or defects in protective coating systems;
- welded, flange and bolted connections;
- assessment of existing structures;
- concrete repair questions;
- questions related to continued operation or life extension;
- technical review and independent expert opinion.
Lifetime extension and damage analysis are becoming increasingly relevant as turbines remain in operation for longer, and WindBASE is also involved during the operational phase of wind projects. In most cases the Windbase advanced design analyses methodology for foundation reveals additional safety margins needed to safely expand the operational lifetime.
Expertise beyond the foundation
Our core expertise is onshore wind turbine foundations, but the knowledge within the team can also support technical questions elsewhere in wind turbine structures.
That matters when a project requires more than one narrow discipline. WindBASE’s own strategic plan identifies its ability to develop solutions for unusual situations by combining the knowledge of specialists from different disciplines.
Specialist expertise in-house
Our multidisciplinary team brings together structural engineering and specialist materials expertise, including a FROSIO Coating Inspector, an International Welding Engineer (IWE), concrete maintenance specialists and concrete technology advisors. This allows us to assess steel structures, welded connections, corrosion protection systems, concrete durability and structural performance in their wider structural context.
International expertise, practical mindset
WindBASE works internationally. Its strategy describes a track record of more than 6,000 foundations across 40+ countries since 1983.
We bring that experience to existing structures too.
Not simply to identify a problem, but to understand what it means for the structure and what decision needs to follow.
Facing damage, deterioration or an unusual structural question?
Bring our specialists into the conversation.