Rotafix - Timber Engineering

CASE STUDIES:

Tourand Creek Bridge	Bridge Repair Images-1	Bridge Repair Images-2	Timber Grading & Strength	Timber Testing
Timber Frame Buildings	Timber Crack Injection	Trace Basement Systems	Wind Turbines	Totem Pole
Strength Testing of Adhesives	Lock Gate Repairs	Arena - Canada	Kerto Paddle Staircase	Penshurst Place
Pull out test	Structural Timber Repair	Timber Frame Building Repairs	Glulam Repairs	Router bench

Wind Turbines This page is still under construction
In the last 15 years, wind turbines have been a major development as a principal contributor to renewable energy. In principle, a turbine consists of three basic sections: the ground pedestal support (which often contains the motorised conversion system), a vertical tower and a set of blades.
The conventional turbine had a vertical axis using two or three blades. There are a small number of horizontal axis machines.
The aerodynamic blades are built on the same lines as an aircraft blade with fairing tips and hollow construction. Many are produced from a combination of Kaya hardwood laminates and epoxy resin with an outer weathering coating of polyurethane.
Two areas of high stress are the surfaces of the blades and the bolts which hold the blades into the hub. The latter have to be carefully designed to prevent localised peak stresses. Rotafix have been involved in the production of carbon fibre filled grout which is designed to hold the highly stressed hub bolts into position.
Rotafix has also produced special repair mortars and adhesives for reinstating damaged blades. To date, two methods of repair have been possible. For extensive repairs the blades have to be removed and supported on a horizontal cradle. It has been possible to repair some blades in situ, using hydraulic platforms for gaining access to the individual blade surface.
Caption for Photo 1 (new photo – repair being carried out) Repairs carried out on 14m blade in situ using a combination of a lightweight epoxy repair mortar and Rotafix Structural Adhesive.

© 2007 Rotafix Ltd
Rotafix, Aquachem, Rendacrete, Resiwood, Timberset, Vinachem and Zeroset are all registered trade marks of Rotafix Ltd.