Analysis of a Composite Blade Design for 10 kW Wind Turbine Using a Finite Element Model

Abstract:

This paper presents the final design of glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) blade for 10 kW wind turbine developed at the Technical University of Moldova by finite element (FE) analysis techniques. This design was reached through an iterative analysis process following a previous design. The objective of this research is to maximize structural robustness of composite blade while reducing its mass and cost. Design optimization of the composite wind turbine blade was performed by checking the static and dynamic behavior. The design variables considered are related to the composite material parameters: fiber direction, layups direction and blade shell thickness based on number of composite layers. The constraints are tip deformations, allowable stresses and resonant vibration of the blade. According to FE analysis results the optimized blade will be stiff enough in storm conditions, will operate out of dangerous resonance frequencies and will weigh approximatively 20% less.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 657)
• Pages: 589-593
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.657.589
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Marin Guțu*
• Keywords: Campbell Diagram, Composite Material, Dynamic Behavior, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Static Behavior, Wind Turbine Blade

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