NORTH AMERICA they construct . Technological advancements in wind turbine generators has afforded an opportunity for larger machines . This equates to a significant increase in the turbine size , tower height and blade length . In turn , the foundation system grows larger and more expensive .

The market is moving towards larger turbines for land-based applications ; from a typical size in the 2-megawatt family to turbines rated at 3-3.5 megawatts . Traditionally , the turbines

have been constructed with a gravity spread foundation design , but with the additional mass at the top of the tower from these larger machines the industry was ripe for a paradigm shift .

That shift was brought about by the Patrick & Henderson ( P & H ) Tensionless Pier Foundation : a design that requires less than a third of the amount of concrete and steel and 25 % less excavation and backfill when constructing the larger wind turbines . According to Loftis , an experienced crew can

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