Abstract
In this paper a quick method for modeling composite wind turbine blades is developed for aeroelastic simulations and finite element analyses. The method reduces the time to model a wind turbine blade by automating the creation of a shell finite element model and running it through a cross-sectional analysis tool in order to obtain cross-sectional properties for the aeroelastic simulations. The method utilizes detailed user inputs of the structural layup and aerodynamic profile including ply thickness, orientation, material properties and airfoils to create the models. After the process is complete the user has two models of the same blade, one for performing a structural finite element model analysis and one for aeroelastic simulations. Here, the method is implemented and applied to reverse engineer a structural layup for the NREL 5MW reference blade. The model is verified by comparing natural frequencies to the
reference blade. Further, the application to aeroelastic and structural evaluations is demonstrated. Aeroelastic analyses are performed, and predicted fatigue loads are presented. Extreme loads from the aeroelastic simulations are extracted and applied onto the blade for a structural evaluation of the blade strength.
Results show that the structural properties and natural frequencies of the developed 5MW blade match well with the reference blade, however the structural analysis found excessive strain at 16% span in the spare caps that would cause the blade to fail.
reference blade. Further, the application to aeroelastic and structural evaluations is demonstrated. Aeroelastic analyses are performed, and predicted fatigue loads are presented. Extreme loads from the aeroelastic simulations are extracted and applied onto the blade for a structural evaluation of the blade strength.
Results show that the structural properties and natural frequencies of the developed 5MW blade match well with the reference blade, however the structural analysis found excessive strain at 16% span in the spare caps that would cause the blade to fail.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2014: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Publisher | American Society of Mechanical Engineers |
| Publication date | 2014 |
| Article number | GT2014-26155 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Event | ASME Turbo Expo 2014 - CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany Duration: 16 Jun 2014 → 20 Jun 2014 http://www.asmeconferences.org/te2014/ |
Conference
| Conference | ASME Turbo Expo 2014 |
|---|---|
| Location | CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf |
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Düsseldorf |
| Period | 16/06/2014 → 20/06/2014 |
| Internet address |