Cyclic flexural test and loading protocol for steel wind turbine tower columns

A round hollow steel section (HSS) is generally used in a wind turbine tower column. Experimental studies on the cyclic flexural behavior of round HSS columns with large diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratios are very limited. Three steel round HSS column specimens with a D/t ratio of 240 were planned for tests. The specimens, made from ASTM A36 steel, had a clear height of 4390 mm, diameter of 1440 mm and thickness of 6 mm. In addition, one...