Project: wind energy plant type N117 R120

TMDs for 1st mode & for 2nd mode

Client: Nordex Energy GmbH

GERB-Com.-Nr.: E-62211

Contactperson: Dipl.-Ing. F. Dalmer Tel. +49 201 266 04 19 frank.dalmer@gerb.de

Date: 01.07.2013

TMD – Mode of Operation

Slender steel structures like posts or wind generators are easily excited to vibrations by wind. These
vibrations are often deemed annoying for inhabitants but they can also reduce usability and product
life time. TMD (tuned mass dampers) are a simple and cost-effective method to reduce these
excessive vibrations.

A TMD is a mass supported elastically or on pendulum ropes that is tuned (frequency, direction and
mass) according to the annoying vibrations.

The mode of operation of a TMD is described as follows:

Whenever a structure is excited to vibrations a TMD is immediately excited to vibrations as well. The
motion of the TMD is directed opposite to the motion of the structure, causing nullification or
diminution of the resulting forces of inertia. The excessive vibrations of the structure are reduced.

Two pendulum TMDs were designed for this project. For such a TMD the mass is supported on four
ropes.

Both TMDs are different in shape, mass and length of the pendulum ropes. The TMD that
corresponds to the 1st mode of vibration is set for an installation height of 90m of the wind turbine
tower. The TMD that corresponds to the 2nd mode of vibration is set for an installation height of 60m.

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GERB Schwingungsisolierungen GmbH & Co. KG Ust.-IdNr. DE 118873256 www.gerb.com

Roedernallee 174-176   Ruhrallee 311   Kommanditgesellschaft: Geschäftsführer:
13407 Berlin, Deutschland   45136 Essen, Deutschland HR Berlin-Charlottenburg Nr. A 33006   Kai-Askan Bünte
Postfach 51 02 30, 13362 Berlin   Postfach 10 14 52, 45014 Essen Komplementär: AWEBE Allgemeine Dr. Peter Nawrotzki
Tel. +49-30-4191-0, Fax -199   Tel. +49-201-266 04-0, Fax -40 und Beteiligungs GmbH, Berlin Christoph von Waldow
iso@gerb.de   iso-essen@gerb.de HR Berlin-Charlottenburg Nr. B 82567   Ehrenfried von Waldow
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 2 / 21

Notes for the Installation of a TMD

The following instructions are a rough description of the sequence to install the TMDs. The
procedure itself and especially the execution of the necessary safety instructions are in the scope of
responsibility of the executing company.

The TMD for the 2nd mode of the tower structure is located below the TMD for the 1st mode. So the
TMD for the 2nd mode will be lifted into the structure first.

1. General composition of the TMD for the 2nd mode

Applicable drawing: E-62211-32-Rev3

The TMD designed for this project is composed from the following assemblies:
 Vibrating mass, weight ~ 7,7 t
 Two pieces of VISCODAMPERS® (dampers), weight per piece ~ 550 kg
 Tension springs – max. 36 pieces – weight per piece ~ 25 kg
 TMD support composed of 4 pieces of rope, length ~ 3 m each

The tension springs are installed to adjust the tuning frequency of the TMD. The dimensioning is
done according to calculated natural frequencies, please refer to the technical specification TMD
NALL02_038185_DE. After completion of the installation it is possible to measure the natural
frequencies of the tower with the installed TMD masses and calculate the necessary number of
springs for the fine tuning.

Representation of the assembly TMD – 2nd mode

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2. General composition of the TMD for the 1st mode

Applicable drawing: E-62211-02-Rev3

The TMD designed for this project is composed from the following assemblies:
 Vibrating mass, weight ~ 3,3 t
 Two pieces of VISCODAMPERS® (dampers),weight per piece ~ 300 kg
 Two pieces of support rings for the mounting of stopper and several Tension springs (2 x
3 pieces)
 TMD support composed of 4 pieces of rope, total length ~ 12 m

The tension springs are used to adjust the tuning frequency of the TMD. The dimensioning is done
according to calculated natural frequencies, please refer to the technical specification TMD
NALL02_038185_DE. After completion of the installation it is possible to measure the natural
frequencies of the tower with the installed TMD masses and calculate the necessary number of
springs for the fine tuning.

Representation of the assembly TMD – 1st mode

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 4 / 21

3. Necessary Safety Precautions

Before installation of the TMD all necessary and prescribed safety precautions must be carried out.
Part of these preparations are appropriate harnesses and anti-fall guards on those platforms on
which the TMDs will be stored and installed. We recommend removing any existing foreign objects
from all platforms before starting the installation procedure of the TMDs.

The access to the TMDs and the work on the TMDs is only allowed under observation of the
respective access regulations.

4. Risk assessment

What can happen? Why can it happen? How can it be avoided? What to do when
it happens?
Contusion of fingers Carelessness Staff must be informed and
and other parts of advised about the hazards and
the body dangers
Danger of fall Stay and motion on not Staff must be informed and
secured posts, ladders advised about the hazards and
and platforms dangers;
Anti-fall guards and safety belts
have to be used according to the
valid regulations
wearing PSE is a must
Contact first aid
Fall of the load Load too big; Load and center of gravity must
Lifting gear not be determined before load is personnel
appropriate attached;
Only use of proven and working
lifting gear

Injuries due to falling Not firmly attached parts, wearing a PSE is a must
objects tools or other objects
could fall from posts,
platforms and from
greater heights

...
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5. Condition of delivery, storage and transport of the TMD

The TMDs are delivered in the described assemblies. The dampers are already connected with the
vibrating mass. Vibrating mass and dampers are supported by a wooden transport frame (please
refer to Pictures 1 & 2). This transport frame is only for storage on site before lifting into the tower.
The TMD for the 1st mode has to be stored on the 80 m platform with a special installation frame.

All ropes – the actual TMD support – as well as all the tension springs are stored in separate boxes.

During the installation the following points must be respected:

 The dampers may not be tilted. They always have to be stored and transported
upright.

 The dampers may only be lifted with attached transport locks.

 The dampers must be protected from entering liquids.

 The dampers must never be loaded with static load.

Picture 1 a, b Condition of delivery of the TMDs – left covered with plastic – right springs for TMD 2nd mode
stored in boxes

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TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 6 / 21

Picture 2 a Condition of delivery TMD 1st mode

TMD mounted on transport frame

Picture 2b Condition of delivery TMD 2nd mode

TMD mounted on transport frame
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TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 7 / 21

6. Installation of the TMD 2nd mode

Picture 3 shows the attachment points for the crane ropes and the respective attachment points for
the TMD support. For lifting the TMD by crane 4 additional pieces of screwable attachments VLBG-
5 t – M30 are needed.

Picture 3 Attachment points for crane ropes and TMD support

1) Check if fixation of dampers on vibrating mass is in place – lifting is only possible

if transport locks are in place. Every damper is secured by 4 threaded rods BM20
and correspondent nuts to the vibrating mass – refer to Picture 4.

done?

Picture 4 Transport locks on damper

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 8 / 21

2) Installation of TMD support - it has to be placed into the matching rope brackets
done?
on the upper work level. The ropes have to be fixed by shackle and bolt into the
respective butt strap, refer to Picture 5a for this procedure.

The ropes are made from two identical pieces with

Note
identical attachment parts. There is no direction of preference.

Picture 5a Fixation upper TMD attachment

Every bolt must be fixed with the respective cotter-pin!

3) After installation of the 5th tower segment lifting of TMD (vibration mass -
VISCODAMPER®) into the installation position. The TMD must be lifted by crane -
without any transport or mounting frame. During the lifting process an edge guard
must be installed - refer to Picture 5b.

The vibrating mass may not be set onto the VISCODAMPERS®.

done?

Picture 5b TMD during the lifting process, showing edge

guards and transport locks for dampers

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 9 / 21

4) When the installation position of the TMD is reached the TMD must be connected
with the TMD support. The ropes from the TMD support must be hanging
vertically, refer to Picture 5c.

Picture 5c TMD is connected to the ropes TMD support

Transfer of the load from the crane rope to the TMD support – fixation by shackles
and bolts (secured by using cotter-pins), refer to Picture 3 and Picture 5a.

The dampers aren’t allowed to touch the TMD platform.

done?
Now the damper and the TMD must be brought into the correct position and pitch
using the spanner nuts on the ropes.

Only when the complete load is transferred over

NOTE
to the TMD support the crane rope can be released.

5) Adjustment of the vertical position of the vibrating mass using the spanner nuts
in the ropes. The vertical position of the vibrating mass must be set so that the done?
dampers touch the platform - the bottom edge of the vibrating mass is arranged
level, in a distance of 850mm (± 5mm) above the TMD platform.

6) Removal of the transport locks on the VISCODAMPERS® (4 pieces of threaded

rods BM 20 and nuts, refer to Picture 4. The dampers must be placed and done?
secured on the platform using 6 bolts M24 x 65 – 8.8 for each damper. Each bolt
must be mounted with a clamping torque of 200 Nm and must be secured with
LOCTITE.

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 10 / 21

7) To install the tension springs the vibrating mass must be deflected from the
nominal center position. To do this a hydraulic jack or a chain tackle must be
used.

Stoppers integrated into the VISCODAMPERS®

NOTE
limit the horizontal motions of TMD to 120 mm.

Deflection using a hydraulic jack

Please use 2 hydraulic jacks type C2514CBT. Onto the piston rod of each jack a
top part is to be mounted. The required top part depends on the direction of
deflection. The top part for the transverse direction “quer” is shown in Picture 6a.
The top part the longitudinal direction “längs” is shown in Picture 6b and is
identical to the setup for the cross direction “quer” except for an additional steel
block fixed with bolts.

Picture 6a, b Deflection of the vibrating mass show the different directions and piston
arrangements; left with setup “quer“ and right with setup “längs“
For the alignment of the hydraulic jacks the piston rod must face in direction of the
TMD while the cylinder must face towards the spring fixation plates on the tower.

For the deflection of the vibrating mass in direction „quer“ a setup of two jacks
according to Picture 6a and 7 must be used.

For the deflection of the vibrating mass in direction „längs“ a setup of two jacks
according to Picture 6b and 8 must be used.

The jacks must be placed between vibrating mass and spring fixation plate. To
avoid dropping of the jacks they have to be secured in their position. Now the

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TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 11 / 21

hydraulic pump for the jacks can be activated and the vibrating mass is deflected.
The mass must be deflected until the tension springs on the other side can be
mounted stressless, refer to Picture 6c.
Following this, the jacks must be placed on the side where the springs have just
been installed, using the same methods as described before. Now the vibrating
mass must be deflected into the opposite direction until the springs can be
mounted stressless, refer to Picture 6c.

Picture 6c Stressless installation of the springs

At first all the springs on the long side of the TMD have to be installed. Then all
the springs on the front side must be installed.

Picture 7 Use of hydraulic jacks to deflect the vibrating mass in direction „quer“

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 12 / 21

Picture 8 Use of hydraulic jacks to deflect the vibrating mass in direction „längs“
The springs must be fixed on both ends using shackles and bolts and cotter-pins.

done?

Picture 9 Tension springs mounting position

CAREFUL The springs are preloaded! There is danger of contusion!

8) After finishing of tower installation it could be necessary to perform vibration

done?
measurements to determine the natural frequencies of the tower and perform a
fine tuning of the TMD.

It is possible to activate the TMD before the nacelle is completed.

NOTE
Actually the TMD is already activated once the described
installation and the final check are done.

...
TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 13 / 21

Final Check

All bolted connections must be installed with the necessary clamping torque.
done?
Bolts must be secured.

For a symmetrical weight distribution all spanners has to be fixed approx. with the
done?
same torque.

Spanner nuts must be secured after the leveling of the vibrating mass.
done?

Color mark on the nuts of the spanner nuts.

done?

Check for motion space around the vibrating mass – at least 200mm on all edges
done?

Check the ropes and the TMD for damages.

done?

Check if all parts are sitting tightly and if all connections are okay.
done?

Removal of foreign objects.

done?

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7. Installation of the TMD 1st mode

Picture 10 shows the attachment points for the crane ropes and the respective attachment points
for the TMD support. For lifting the TMD by crane 4 additional pieces of screwable attachments
VLBG-5 t – M30 are needed.

Bild 10 Attachment points for crane ropes and TMD support

1) Check if fixation of dampers on vibrating mass is in place – lifting is only possible if

transportation locks are in place. Each damper is secured by 4 threaded rods BM20
and corresponding nuts to the vibrating mass – refer to Picture 11a.

done?

Picture 11a Transport locks on damper

2) The TMD must be installed on the installation frame. done?

...
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3) After installation of the 5th tower segment the TMD (vibration mass -
VISCODAMPER®) must be placed with the installation frame on the +80 m platform.
The TMD will be lifted by crane in one step - Picture 11b. During the lifting process an
edge guard must be installed on the TMD.

The vibrating mass may not be set onto the VISCODAMPERS®.

done?

Picture 11b TMD with installation frame and edge guard

4) After installation of the 6th tower segment the ropes – TMD support – have to be
placed into the matching rope brackets on the upper work level +103.7 m. The longer
end of the rope is oriented upward, shorter end of the rope shows downwards. The
ropes have to be fixed by shackle and bolt into the respective butt strap, refer to
Picture 12.

done?

Picture 12 Upper fixation of the TMD

The bolts have to be secured using cotter-pins!

...
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5) Lift the TMD slightly and remove from installation frame.

done?
Lift the TMD (vibrating mass + VISCODAMPER®) without installation frame to the
TMD platform on +91.69 m. The TMD is lifted with the crane in one step into the
installation position - crane rope inside the tower.

6) When the installation position of the TMD is reached the TMD must be connected to
the respective ropes of the TMD support. The ropes must be hanging vertically.
Transfer of the load from the crane rope to the TMD support – fixation by shackles and
bolts (secured by using cotter-pins), refer to Picture 10 and Picture 12.

The dampers aren’t allowed to touch the TMD platform.

Now the damper and the TMD must be brought into the correct position and pitch done?
using the spanner nuts on the ropes.

Only when the complete load is transferred over to the TMD support the crane rope
can be released.
Only when the complete load is transferred over
NOTE
to the TMD support the crane rope can be released.

7) Adjustment of the vertical position of the vibrating mass using the spanner nuts in the
done?
ropes. The vertical position of the vibrating mass must be set to a distance of 700 mm
± 5 mm from the lower edge of the vibrating mass (taken at the damper attachment
position) to the TMD platform at 91,69m

8) Removal of the transport locks on the VISCODAMPERS® - 4 pieces of threaded rods

done?
BM 20 and nuts, refer to Picture 11a. The dampers must be placed and secured on
the platform using 4 bolts M24 x 65 – 8.8 for each damper. Each bolt must be
mounted with a clamping torque of 200 Nm and must be secured with LOCTITE.

9) The stop rings are partially pre-installed - refer to Picture 13. Each stop ring is
attached to the tower wall by 4 weld-bushings

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TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 17 / 21

Picture 13 Stop ring partially pre-installed

After positioning and alignment of the TMD closing of stop rings - screw bolted
connections - refer to Picture 14.

done?

Picture 14 stop ring closed

10) Installation of tension springs – for each stop ring 3 pieces arranged in star shape. The
done?
vibrating mass must be deflected by hand so that the springs can be installed without
force. The springs must be fixed using shackles and bolts. This connection must be
secured using cotter-pins.

CAREFUL The springs are preloaded! There is danger of contusion!

11) Installation of the stoppers - for each stop ring 6 stoppers. Each stopper is attached
done?
using 2 bolts M16 and matching nuts - clamping torque 210 Nm.

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TMDs for a wind energy plant type N117 R120 – date of issue 01.07.2013 page 18 / 21

It is possible to activate the TMD before the nacelle is completed.

NOTE
Actually the TMD is already activated once the described
installation and the final check is done.

Final Check

All bolted connections must be installed with the necessary clamping torque.
done?
Bolts must be secured.

For a symmetrical weight distribution all spanners has to be fixed approx. with the
done?
same torque.

Spanner nuts must be secured after the leveling of the vibrating mass.
done?

Color mark on the nuts of the spanner nuts.

done?

Check for motion space around the vibrating mass –

done?
150 mm to the stoppers and at least 200mm on all edges

Check the ropes and the TMD for damages.

done?

Check if all parts are sitting tightly and if all connections are okay.
done?

Removal of foreign objects.

done?

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8. Necessary Tools

2 pieces of ring wrench size M12

2 pieces of fork wrench and 2 pieces of ring wrench size M16

2 pieces of fork wrench and 2 pieces of ring wrench size M20

1 piece of fork wrench and 1 piece of ring wrench size M24

1 pieces of fork wrench and 1 pieces of ring wrench size M30

1 piece of Allen key size AF14

Key for spanner nut, size NG1 1/2x12“ spanner nut according to US-standard

Torque wrench matching M16 (for stoppers) & torque wrench matching M24 (fixation dampers)

2 pieces of hydraulic jacks type C2514CBT including hand pump, 2-way-junction, several hoses and
the described top parts (as written in chapter „Installation of the TMD 2nd mode“)

Chain tension + 4 pieces of band slings

Several installation tools like screw drivers and pliers (for cotter-pins etc.)

Loctite for securing bolts

Paint for color marks

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9. Maintanance of TMDs

The TMDs installed in this project are designed as maintenance-free parts for a lifetime of 20 years.
The TMDs have no wearing parts, which have to be replaced after a fixed period.

We recommend after heavy wind loads or earthquakes, but at least after 2 years, to perform a visual
inspection of the TMD-systems. Hereby are following points are to be checked:

 (mechanical) damages, especially the TMD support

 Corrosion protection is damaged
 Water inside the VISCODAMPER®
 Foreign objects limiting the motion of the TMDs.

Any damages have to be removed professionally.

The complete TMD support (rope attachments, ropes, slinging mean) has to be exchanged in case
of damages and corrosion. Damaged parts of the TMD support have to be exchanged. Corrosion is
to be removed professionally or the parts should be exchanged.

Bolted connections are to be manually checked for tightness. Loose bolts must be tightened
accordingly.

The damper of the TMDs should be protected from water, other fluids and foreign objects. If fluids
get into the damper, the damping will be destroyed and the damping liquid has to be replaced. To
protect the dampers from foreign objects and splash water protection sleeves are used. By visual
inspection the protection sleeve should be checked. Damaged or porous sleeves have to be
replaced.

At the VISCODAMPER®, especially at the protection sleeves and catch rings, it is to be examined
whether damping liquid has leaked out. Leaked out damping liquid has to be removed mechanically.
The cause of the leaking damping liquid is to be determined.

The result of the inspections, particularly the defects, repairs and exchange of worn parts has to be
documented.

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