Structural performance of direct foundations of onshore wind turbine towers considering SSI: A literature review

Iálysson da Silva Medeiros and Douglas Mateus de Lima

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, vol. 217, issue C

Abstract: The exponential increase in the construction of energy generation systems using wind turbines has driven the need for taller towers in search of stronger winds, resulting in challenges for the development of structural solutions. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on advancements in the modeling and design of direct foundations for wind turbine towers, emphasizing the importance of soil–structure interaction (SSI). The review covers three-dimensional models developed to analyze the impact of SSI, as well as the optimization of designs considering deflections and structural requirements. The main goal of the paper is to provide detailed insights to serve as a starting point for further research on direct foundations for wind turbine towers. Structural model analysis and the use of methods such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) have revealed significant variations in the effectiveness of foundations, depending on geometry and soil characteristics. The results highlight the importance of considering SSI for an accurate representation of the overall structural response. In the design and enhancement of wind structures, critical factors such as displacements and stresses must be considered when evaluating the interactions between the structure and the soil. Integrating these design considerations into the improvement of foundations is essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of these structures, meeting the growing demands of the industry and promoting sustainability in wind energy generation. Thus, this research makes a significant contribution to the understanding and advancement of engineering practices for wind turbine tower foundations, establishing an important starting point for future investigations.

Keywords: Analysis of foundation models; Structural safety; Foundation efficiency; Structural requirements; Soil–structure interaction (SSI); Finite element method (FEM) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115742

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