Surface roughness evolution of wind turbine blade subject to rain erosion

Antonios Tempelis*, Leon Mishnaevsky Jr.

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

Leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades causes roughening of the blade’s surface, leading to a reduction of energy production. This paper presents a computational model for the prediction of the roughness evolution of the blade’s surface, based on fatigue damage calculations and rain droplet impact simulations. A novel method for the calculation of material roughness due to multiple random liquid impacts was developed, by considering damage concentration in areas where sharpness due to material removal is formed. Material removal was governed by fatigue damage values. The computational model was compared to roughness measurements from a sample tested in a rain erosion tester. The outputs of this model are 3D surfaces resembling the roughness of the protective coating layer as well as the evolution of surface roughness parameters and mass loss throughout time.
Original languageEnglish
Article number112011
JournalMaterials and Design
Volume231
Number of pages13
ISSN0264-1275
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Wind energy
  • Erosion
  • Coatings
  • Roughness
  • Wind turbine blade

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