College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2025
Primary Advisor
Andrew Kean, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Lauren Rueda, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) has introduced a new element to their Turbine Design Competition: a floating foundation. In previous years, foundations have been fixed-bottom in a box of sand and water. The Cal Poly Wind Power Club, who competes in the CWC every year, requires a floating foundation to be designed, manufactured, and tested to assist in winning the competition. The foundation is a large, hollow, cylindrical barge with a hanging spar (heavy mass). The barge will provide a restoring moment using buoyancy, and the heavy spar provides additional restoring moment. Four cables will be attached at the sides of the barge to the mooring weights to prevent lateral motion. The 12 kg spar will be connected to the 48 cm diameter barge via a threaded aluminum rod and a flange that bolts to the underside of the barge. A central column within the barge will support the load and also allow for mounting studs for the turbine on top of the assembly. At the CWC, the foundation deflected 13 degrees at 13 m/s. It experienced minimal lateral motion, and, as such, the foundation received 50/50 points in the Foundation Success task. Installation was consistently performed in under 60 seconds, and it presented minimal safety hazards at any point during installation and operation.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/827