Wind turbine foundation and method of constructing a wind turbine foundation

Abstract

A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member, and a reinforced concrete base slab supporting the metal base can and the plurality of radial girders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wind turbine foundation comprising:
 a. a metal base can further comprising:
 i. a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, 
 ii. a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the base can, 
 iii. a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the base can, and 
 iv. a tower flange including a plurality of apertures for attaching a wind turbine tower to the base can; and 
   b. a plurality of metal radial girders connected to and radiating out from the base can wherein each of the plurality of radial girders are connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange; and   c. a reinforced concrete base slab supporting the metal base can and the plurality of radial girders.   
     
     
         2 . The wind turbine foundation of  claim 1  further comprising the reinforced concrete base slab supporting the metal base can and the plurality of radial girders, wherein the excavation under the slab is tapered so that a bottom side of the slab filling the excavation is tapered and bulges along a middle portion of the base slab. 
     
     
         3 . The wind turbine foundation of  claim 1  further comprising a reinforced concrete base slab wherein the excavation under the slab is in a stepped configuration so that a bottom side of the slab filling the excavation is in a stepped configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The wind turbine foundation of  claim 1  further comprising a perimeter grade beam of concrete and a mid-grade beam of concrete beneath a reinforced concrete base slab. 
     
     
         5 . The wind turbine foundation of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of vertically oriented beams connected to an interior surface of the base can to stiffen the base can.