The presentation will address the root cause of the failures current OEM and repair by others.
OEM deck bracket support fasteners have been failing at an alarming rate. One to three failed bolts that support a deck (typically a yaw or saddle) in the wind turbine tower presents a difficult maintenance issue and significant resource expenditure. Four or more failed bolts represent a significant safety hazard to Wind Technicians. While it is obvious to the Tech when a Deck support bolt has failed it is not visually obvious when a deck support bolt has cracked. The reason for the bolt failures are changes in the tower geometry or ovaling creating a load concentration or prying action on the fastener during transport and/or operation. Several suggestions for remediation have been suggested, neither of which have been cost effective or lasting. OEMs have addressed this issue in newer designs, however thousands of decks throughout the U.S. remain vulnerable to this issue. The presentation will address the root cause of the failures, existing O.E.M. provided remediation, and possible alternative remediations under current development.