Developers and foundation designers can now perform preliminary, integrated load/foundation designs to optimise foundations prior to bid submission. The software tool, developed in collaboration with Ramboll, allows foundation designers to independently perform integrated load analyses in an encapsulated, or closed-system, version of the full turbine model used for detailed foundation load simulations.
Designed with engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash, the software optimises Front End Engineering & Design studies with more accurate early stage modeling and a reduced risk profile for future MHI Vestas projects. The concept was verified on a full-site calculation basis, with the loads producing a near-perfect match to the fully integrated model.
The Smart Foundation Loads software package is a part of the MVOW Smart Turbine product portfolio released last week by MHI Vestas.