Precast Solutions - January/February 2008 - (Page 15)

dowels that would be cast in place. These mated templates were part of the forming system to assure all sections matched and fit. Many of the sections were offloaded and installed in the early mornings of spring 2006 when the wind was less of an issue, and installation went quickly – the advantage of using precast concrete. The end product is a system that can generate energy in winds from 8 to 65 mph. The unit is stable, as it is designed to withstand winds up to 116 mph. The turbine can operate in high or gusting wind and icing conditions SECOND PLACE TIE ABOVE GROUND VERTICAL AXIS WIND ENERGY TURBINE STRUCTURE Project Use: 25 Kilowatt Wind Energy Turbine Project Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming resulting in greater long-term power production. After one hour of 33 mph winds, the unit can generate enough power for about 20 Wyoming homes. This Vertical Axis system includes many positives that can be used just about anywhere in the world: The world is clamoring for clean, sustainable energy, and one of the most pre-eminent concepts is harnessing the energy of wind. When an entrepreneur/engineer asked a question about a specially shaped structure to enclose a verticalblade wind turbine, Vaughn Concrete Products Inc. responded. After discussing the sizes, shapes and challenges for such a unit, the Vertical Axis Wind Energy Turbine Structure was born. Vaughn Concrete Products manufactured the precast concrete components, which consisted of four stacked precast concrete Stator A panels. These curved airfoil sections are approximately 4 to 6 feet wide, 16 feet long, 8 feet 4 inches tall and weigh approximately 56,000 pounds each. Stator B and Stator C are precast concrete panels approximately 12 feet wide by 34 feet tall and weigh approximately 51,000 pounds each. The three precast units efficiently channel the wind from varying directions into the turbine, thus generating a substantial amount of energy. The unit needed to be in a windy location, but installing a 34-foot-tall structure in windy conditions can be tricky. Vaughn Concrete Products furnished the installation contractor with templates to properly locate reinforcing • Project Innovation: Precast concrete offers a much more massive, durable, long-lasting and maintenancefree unit than steel. • Project Cost Benefits: Precast units allow manufacturing and installation of multiple units at a significant savings. • Project Schedule Savings: Construction time is easily cut by 50 percent over cast-in-place concrete or siteerected steel structures. • Ease of Construction: Precisely manufactured templates, both on site and at the precast plant, facilitate construction, and the Stators were easily placed. • Aesthetics: A spray-on membrane curing compound leaves a nice-looking concrete structure. The real appeal is the efficiency of consistent energy generated from a clean, readily available and sustainable source. COMPANY PROFILE: Vaughn Concrete Products Inc. 2671 S. Greeley Highway Cheyenne, WY 80640 (307) 634-0695 www.vaughnconcreteproducts.com JAN/FEB 2008 | PRECAST SOLUTIONS 15 http://www.vaughnconcreteproducts.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Precast Solutions - January/February 2008

Precast Solutions - January/February 2008 Contents Precast Concrete Short-Span Bridges Precast Micro-Reinforced Concrete A Winning Edge The Creative Edge TMI: Too Much Infiltration! Architectural Details Cast in Stone

Precast Solutions - January/February 2008

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