General – Wedge Connection
C1 Connections and Heerema Marine Contractors have successfully tested the C1 Wedge Connection offshore.
The C1 Wedge Connection, developed by C1 Connections from Holland, is a high-capacity connection that can be installed faster and safer than conventional bolted flange connections. It can be used in off- and onshore wind turbines, both in turbine towers and foundations.
The installation of the tower on board Thialf was performed as part of the preparations for the Arcadis Ost project, for which Heerema will install 27 wind turbines for the Belgian developer Parkwind.
The C1 Wedge Connection can deliver the high capacity that is needed for the next generation wind turbines, which continue to grow in size and are installed on sites in increasingly harsh environmental conditions or on floating platforms.
Conventional bolted L-flange connections are reaching their capacity limits and are complex to design, install and maintain. This is where the C1 Wedge Connection will make a significant difference. During the offshore test, C1 Connections and Heerema Marine Contractors demonstrated that the C1 Wedge Connection enables a safe disconnection of the tower from a grillage on a barge. The alignment and quick connection of the tower was successfully performed without any personnel below the suspended load. The C1 Wedge Connection features pre-installed fasteners, and only lightweight tools are needed to finalize the connection.
