LATAM-SHM-2026

Determination of the Vibration Parameters of an Onshore Wind Turbine Structure

  • Valverde, Nicolás (Universidad de la República)
  • Delgado, Santiago (Universidad de la República)
  • Sánchez, Javier (Agencia Nacional Investigación e Innovación)
  • Abreu, Ana (Universidad de la República)

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Under loading conditions, soils and structures are systems that develop localized response mechanisms. The study of these systems and the analysis of their dynamic parameters is one of the most important issues in structural engineering. This work presents the experimental analysis based on environmental vibrations of an on-shore wind turbine tower. Velocities and accelerations were measured over a long period of time, obtaining environmental vibration records at different points of the structure and the surrounding subsoil. The procedure done is based on passive seismic methods such as the spectral ratio technique, also known as environmental seismic noise technique. The measurements were obtained with a seismometer-accelerometer. These data were used to extract the fundamental frequency of the soil and the structure, among others. A numerical model to simulate the dynamic behavior of the tower was developed. The geometric and material parameters of the model were measured on site. Subsequently, the results of the numerical model were contrasted with the experimentally measured records. These results have relevance in wind turbine structure design, monitoring and determination of structural health. In the current context of energy transition, it is highlighted the role that engineering and geosciences can play in meeting the challenges of the future and also in providing solutions and infrastructure for wind farm sites.