Dynamic and Static Characterization of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blades Using Dimensionless Analysis of Scaled-Down Models

Year 2015, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 404 - 418, 01.06.2015

Ahmed Hesham Abdulaziz Adel Moneeb Elsabbagh Wael Nabil Akl

Abstract

The blade is the most important part of the horizontal axis wind turbine. As significant as its role in the efficient function of the turbine, stands the accurate predictions of static and dynamic performances of blades during the design phase for further developments. The objective of the current research is to develop a reliable approach, in which measurements and analysis of a scaled-down model can be used to predict the performance of full-scale wind turbine blades. The Buckingham π–Theorem has been applied to develop such approach. Two cases of the scaled-down models were investigated. The first case was a 0.3 m long adequate scaled-down blade built using 3D printing technology. This scaled-down model was examined experimentally and numerically to obtain dynamic characteristics then the measurements were used to predict the dynamic characteristics of 7 m long full-scale blade and validating its numerical model. Good agreement was found between the predictions of the full-scale blade and its numerical solutions.The second case was using the numerical model of scaled-down similitude of the full-scale blade. Tip deflection analysis and modal analysis were performed on the numerical model of similitude. Results were used to predict and validate the numerical solutions of the 7 m full-scale blade.  Better agreement was obvious.

Keywords

Wind turbine blades; Dimensionless analysis; Buckingham π–theorem; Dynamic characteristics; Tip deflection; Modelling; 3D printing technology; Similitude theorem.

References

• M. O. L. Hansen‏, Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines, London,England: Earthscan, 2008.
• Wind Turbine Generator Systems - Part 23:Full Scale Structural Testing of Rotor Blade, 2001.
• K. Cox and A. Echtermeyerb, "Structural design and analysis of a 10MW wind turbine blade," Energy Procedia, vol. 24, no. 2012, pp. 194-201, January 2012.
• T. Kwanda, M. Kilfoil and A. Van der Merwe, "Vibration Analysis of a Variable Length Blade," International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Technology (IJAET), vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 630-639, 2012.
• X. Tang, R. Peng, X. Liu and A. I. Broad, "Design and Finite Element Analysis of Mixed Aerofoil Wind Turbines Blades," in 7th PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Delft, Netherlands, 2011.
• Sandeep Dhar, Development and Validation of Small- scale Model to Predict Large Wind Turbine Behavior, Texas, USA, 2006.
• E. J. de Ridder, W. Otto, G. Vaz, F. Huijs and G. J. Zondervan, "Development of a Scaled-Down Floating Wind Turbine for Offshore Basin Testing," in 33rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, San Francisco, 2014.
• M. Ramu, P. V. Raja and P. R. Thyla, "Establishment of Structural Similitude for Elastic Models and Validation of Scaling Laws," vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 139- 144, 2013.
• B. Kwon, S. W. Kim, E. H. Kim, M. S. Rim, P. Shrestha and I. Lee, "Structural Performance Tests of Down Scaled Composite Wind Turbine Blade using Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors," The International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences (IJASS), vol. 12, no. 4, p. 346–353, 2011.
• A. Williams, Structural Analysis: In Theory and Practice, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009, pp. 381-382.
• D. Fertis G, Mechanical and Structural Vibrations, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995, pp. 693-694.
• C. Dym L and H. E. Williams, Analytical Estimates of Structural Behavior, New York, UK: Taylor & Francis, 2012, pp. 9-14.
• C. Dym L, Principles of Mathematical Modeling, United States : Academic Press, 2004, pp. 24-25.
• P. Balachandran, Engineering Fluid Mechanics, Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2013, p. 593.
• J. Kuneš, Similarity and Modeling in Science and Engineering, Plzeň, Czech Republic: Cambridge International Science Publishing, 2012, p. 36.
• U. Oteh, Mechanics of Fluids, Bloomington, USA: AuthorHouse, 2008, p. 287.
• M. Tarfaoui and O. R. Shah, "Spar Shape Optimization of a Multi-megawatt Composite Wind Turbine Blade," Modal Analysis, Recent Advances in Composite Materials for Wind Turbines Blades, pp. 93-104, 2013.
• B. Eker, A. Vardar and A. Akdogan, "Using of Composite Material in Wind Turbine Blades," Applied Science, no. 6, pp. 2917-2921, 2006.
• Ole Thybo Thomsen, "Sandwich Materials for Wind Turbine Blades Present and Future," Sandwich Structures and Materials, pp. 7-26, 2009.
• J. Höyland, Challenges for large wind turbine blades, Trondheim, 2010, p. 64.
• M. S.Mamadapur, Constitutive Modelling Of Fused Deposition Modeling ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE (ABS), Texas, 2007, p. 67 .
• E. Madenci and I. Guven, The Finite Element Method and Applications in Engineering Using ANSYS, Arizona: Springer Science AND Business Media, LLC, 2006.
• E. Wang and T. Nelson, "Structural Dynamic Capabilities of ANSYS," in ANSYS, Pittsburg,Pensylvania, 2002.
• Z. Li, C. Li, W. Gao and Y. Wu, "Effect of Layup Design on properties of Wind Turbine blades," Frontiers of Engineering Mechanics Research, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 63-70, August 2013.
• ANSYS APDL, Shell 181, Pennsylvania: ANSYS .
• V. Kumar Singh, T. Thomas T and V. Warudkar, "Structural Design of a Wind Turbine Blade: A review," in International Conference on Global Scenario in Environment & Energy, Bhobal, 2013.