Evaluation of the fatigue resistance of butt welds in steel towers of wind turbines by fatigue tests and numerical based design with local approaches

Key Points

• Fatigue resistance is evaluated through rigorous fatigue tests, revealing significant durability in butt welds.
• Key evidence shows that local approaches in numerical design enhance the performance of steel tower welds under stress.
• Assessment using fatigue tests and numerical based design illustrates the effectiveness of local design approaches.
• These findings suggest the need for improved fatigue design standards, emphasizing the importance of robust weld techniques.