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Design Program:  The Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Wind Turbine Technician Academy teaches and trains students for a high demand high paying job as a Wind Turbine Technician. Wind Turbine Technicians play key roles in the operation and maintenance of power generating wind turbines and are necessary for at most, 10 turbines. KVCC has established a competency based program which provides graduates credentials that are highly sought after by the wind power industry for the construction, operation and maintenance of utility size wind turbines. KVCC will be constructing a tower to be used as a training tool for the KVCC Wind Academy. KVCC wishes to use an existing 30 meter tower that had previously been used to support a wind turbine. The college will be erecting this tower without the wind turbine, but wishes to add and open platform at the top of the structure, a variety of new ladder systems, new paint, convenience lighting and power, and the capability for the tower and platform to be set up and designed to accommodate future solar panels and a radio antenna.

Design Challenges: The foundation proved challenging with two alternate options-caisson, spear, and concrete pad. Also, the access to the tower foundation bolts were important to KVCC so the concrete pad will include a steel bolting can similar to the caisson. A floor drain will be provided in the foundation to drain into the sandy soil.