Design and Optimization of Composite Offshore Wind Turbine Blades

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tarfaoui ◽  
O. R. Shah ◽  
M. Nachtane
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Element Analysis

In order to obtain an optimal design of composite offshore wind turbine blade, take into account all the structural properties and the limiting conditions applied as close as possible to real cases. This work is divided into two stages: the aerodynamic design and the structural design. The optimal blade structural configuration was determined through a parametric study by using a finite element method. The skin thickness, thickness and width of the spar flange, and thickness, location, and length of the front and rear spar web were varied until design criteria were satisfied. The purpose of this article is to provide the designer with all the tools required to model and optimize the blades. The aerodynamic performance has been covered in this study using blade element momentum (BEM) method to calculate the loads applied to the turbine blade during service and extreme stormy conditions, and the finite element analysis was performed by using abaqus code to predict the most critical damage behavior and to apprehend and obtain knowledge of the complex structural behavior of wind turbine blades. The approach developed based on the nonlinear finite element analysis using mean values for the material properties and the failure criteria of Hashin to predict failure modes in large structures and to identify the sensitive zones.

Structural analysis of offshore wind turbine blades using finite element method

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hicham Boudounit ◽  
Mostapha Tarfaoui ◽  
Dennoun Saifaoui ◽  
Mourad Nachtane
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Element Analysis

Wind energy is one among the most promising renewable energy sources, and hence there is fast growth of wind energy farm implantation over the last decade, which is expected to be even faster in the coming years. Wind turbine blades are complex structures considering the different scientific fields involved in their study. Indeed, the study of blade performance involves fluid mechanics (aerodynamic study), solids mechanics (the nature of materials, the type of solicitations …), and the fluid coupling structure (IFS). The scope of the present work is to investigate the mechanical performances and structural integrity of a large offshore wind turbine blade under critical loads using blade element momentum. The resulting pressure was applied to the blade by the use of a user subroutine “DLOAD” implemented in ABAQUS finite element analysis software. The main objective is to identify and predict the zones which are sensitive to damage and failure as well as to evaluate the potential of composite materials (carbon fiber and glass fiber) and their effect on reduction of rotor’s weight, as well as the increase of resistance to wear, and stiffness.

Strength Evaluation and Failure Prediction of a Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using Finite Element Analysis

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prenil Poulose ◽  
Zhong Hu
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Failure Prediction ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Strength Evaluation

Strength evaluation and failure prediction on a modern composite wind turbine blade have been conducted using finite element analysis. A 3-dimensional finite element model has been developed. Stresses and deflections in the blade under extreme storm conditions have been investigated for different materials. The conventional wood design turbine blade has been compared with the advanced E-glass fiber and Carbon epoxy composite blades. Strength has been analyzed and compared for blades with different laminated layer stacking sequences and fiber orientations for a composite material. Safety design and failure prediction have been conducted based on the different failure criteria. The simulation error estimation has been evaluated. Simulation results have shown that finite element analysis is crucial for designing and optimizing composite wind turbine blades.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Basalt Fibers on Wind Turbine Blades through Finite Element Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. García ◽  
L. Vargas ◽  
A. Acuña ◽  
J. B. Sosa ◽  
E. Durazo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Basalt Fibers ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Structural Requirements

Here we use finite element analysis to determine the suitability of basalt fiber as a substitute for E-glass in structural applications, which would improve the cost effectiveness of small wind turbine blades. Five NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) profiles were evaluated to select the optimum shape for the wind operation conditions. To obtain the wind load pressure distribution over the blade, a computational aerodynamic analysis by CFD (computational fluid dynamics) was performed based on the blade’s design and operating conditions. Material properties and mechanical tests were carried out to obtain the fiber volume fraction, density, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson relation of polymeric matrix composites made using basalt and fiberglass. The obtained wind loads and material properties were used on a FEM (finite element model) analysis to evaluate the structural behavior of the blade under normal and critical operating conditions. Both fibers meet the structural requirements under normal operating conditions. We detected a reduction of 4% in the blade stress when basalt fibers are used instead of glass fibers, and a reduction of 68% in the total deformation for a critical load case of 40 m/s was obtained when using basalt fibers, which met the structural requirements and maximum power generation required for this wind turbine design.

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