Abstract: An equipment tower includes a foundation, a cast-in-place concrete plinth extending vertically from the foundation, and a tower portion extending vertically from the plinth. The equipment tower is constructed at a site having a set of tower specific parameters, and at least one dimension of the plinth is selected based on a tower specific parameter. For example, a height of the plinth may be selected to achieve a desired elevation of the topmost surface of the plinth, so that two towers having identical tower segments will have a common equipment height in spite of variations in their respective foundation elevations due to variations in local ground level. Moreover, the cast-in-place plinth may be designed to include a door opening large enough to accommodate equipment to be installed within the tower.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a post-tensioning tendon (130) in an equipment tower (100). A sheave frame (196) attaches to anchor rods (140), and a pulley (198) is mounted to the sheave frame through which a hoisting cable (197) is passed for connection to an end (138) of the tendon to lift the tendon to the anchor rods. A carriage assembly (150) having a shank (152) and a bearing plate platform (154) extending transversely from the shank for receiving a bearing plate (170) is attached to the tendon. The carriage assembly includes a deflecting surface (158) to deflect the carriage assembly away from the installed bearing plate upon lowering after tendon attachment. A pair of hydraulic jacks (210) tension the tendon to a desired load.

Abstract: A precast concrete post-tensioned segmented equipment tower including a lower segment of a relatively larger diameter, an upper segment of a relatively smaller diameter, and a transition segment there between, with a post-tensioning tendon spanning these segments and imparting a compressive pre-load between the segments, and a slot formed in an inwardly protruding surface of the transition segment for receiving and laterally retaining the tendon during installation and tensioning. The slot may be defined in a saddle formed of high density polyurethane which is cast into the inwardly protruding surface. An intrados surface of the saddle may be curved to impart a bend in the tendon.

Abstract: A concrete wind turbine tower segment is provided with a bearing plate formed by a plurality of individual smaller plates secured within the concrete body of the tower segment. The tower segment may include an anchor bar cage assembly made of an embedded plate with a plurality of anchor bars extending there through and through the plates. A protective sleeve may be positioned over the anchor bars. A method of forming the tower segment includes attaching the plate segments to a precision formed template ring as part of the cage assembly, pouring concrete/grout around the cage assembly against the plates, and removing the template ring to reveal a precision mate face of the bearing plate. The single large, expensive ring may be reused to form multiple tower segments.

Abstract: A tower can include a plurality of annular tower sections connected to and aligned with one another, an internal support structure spanning at least a length of the tower, and a ladder incorporated into the internal support structure.

Abstract: A crane system includes a structural truss positioned within a central opening defined by an inside surface of an annular tower, a crane mast connected to an outside surface of the annular tower, and a jib arm connected to the crane mast.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a strain gauge and a magnetic attachment system connected to the strain gauge for evaluating bending strains on vertical tower systems.