ABSTRACT
The design of the most delicate part of a small wind power installation, its support structure, requires no special algorithms or models: the classical formulas and methods of civil engineering are enough for a safe design. It is important to respect all relevant engineering and construction codes, in order to grant the structural integrity under the worst operational conditions. It is possible to build the support tower of a wind turbine with a large variety of materials and shapes. The most suitable solution for a given case will depend on the turbine’s power and the locally available resources. Simple wooden, steel, or prefabricated concrete poles are usually adequate for mounting small turbines for electric generation, since their solidity is low. Bigger turbines, or high solidity rotors for water pumping, may employ steel lattice structures, having either triangular or square plant, or a steel pole with large circular section.
