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INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
19-21 April 2012, Tallinn, Estonia
Abstract: The goal of this study was to computational technology and various
develop and validate a simplified finite design approaches, information from these
element analysis (FEA) model for a glass tests can be taken into account in a rational
fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) wind way in order to speed up the design process
turbine blade. A 3D virtual model of the and increase structural reliability of blades
blade was built up in ANSYS Workbench [5].
software with corresponding load cases In this paper, validation of a full scale
and boundary conditions. Data for the FEA single layer lay-up SHAWT blade 3D FEA
was obtained from tensile tests of GFRP model is performed. The virtual model is
laminates. Experimental validation of the validated through experimental bending
virtual model was performed on test and modal analysis. The proposed
manufactured blade subject via bending model allows effective consideration of
tests and modal analysis. GRFP material properties, large
Key words: wind turbine blade, GFRP, dimensions of the structure and rapidly
finite element analysis, modal analysis changing geometrical variables [6-7].
Mode Frequency, Hz
1 16,6
2 46,8 Fig. 5. Mesh for FEA
3 82,1
4 95,4 For the connector and root tube linear
isotropic material models were used
5 125,7
(defined by elastic modulus E and
Table 2. Results of experimental analysis
Poisson’s ratio υ). Linear orthotropic
material model was used to define the skin
properties (defined by elastic modulus E,
Poisson’s ratio υ and shear modulus G).
The skin lay-up was depicted as one layer
to simplify the model and reduce
calculation time. Properties of the 4,4 mm
layer were determined via tensile test with
a servo hydraulic test machine Instron
8800. Material properties were calculated
according to methods mentioned in
Fig 4. FRF of a 10th measurement point previous studies [11].
E-Glass singel layer lay-up, GPa achieve a more refined solution. However,
Ex 14500 it must be noted that the usage of large
Ey 14500 deformation mode increases considerably
Ez 1800 calculation time and effort.
υ xy 0.11 Results of the stiffness and strength
υ yz 0.30 analysis are presented in Table 4. The
υ xz 0.30 applied force is weighed against resulting
G xy 2800 vertical deformation of the blade tip and
G yz 1500 maximum stress on the skin. Each load
case can be traced by corresponding
G xz 1500
number.
Table 3. Mechanical properties of GFRP
laminate
Nr. Load Stress Def.
[N] [MPa] [mm]
4.2 Stiffness and strength analysis
1 196,2 33 86
Boundary conditions for the strength and
stiffness analysis were selected according 2 245,3 40 107
to the test setup. The principle scheme of 3 294,3 46 128
the stiffness and strength analysis is 4 343,4 53 149
presented in the Figure 6. 5 392,4 60 171
6 441,5 66 195
7 490,5 73 220
8 539,6 79 248
9 588,6 89 285
10 637,7 139 337
11 686,7 221 410
12 735,8 336 503
13 784,8 447 607
Table 4. FEA results of the strength and
stiffness analysis
5. RESULTS
400
3 0,7E-03 3 27,1
4 0,9E-03 4 54,8 300
5 0,2E-02 5 77,3 200 Exp…
6 0,2E-02 FEA
7 15,5 100
8 43,2 0
9 78,2 150 350 550 750
10 82,3 Force, N
11 91,1 Fig. 9. Deformation comparison of FEA
Table 5. FEA results of the modal analysis and experimental anlysis
For the fixed body analysis the first natural The obtained FEA modal frequencies
mode is found at 8,3 Hz. It is a bending provide satisfactory correlation of the
mode of the blade tip and is depicted in result for first three frequencies with a
Figure 8. differences of 7%, 8% and 5%
respectively. However, for higher
frequencies the deviation also increases.
This can be explained by the fact that
higher frequencies are more influenced by
structural deviations. In current study the
higher frequencies are not of concerne as
their influence for structural vibrations is
relatively low and usually for turbine [4] Kong, C., Kim, T., Han, D., Sugiyama
blades only first and second natural Y. Investigation of Fatigue Life for a
frequencies are of interest. Therefore, in Medium Scale Composite Wind
general it can be concluded that the FEA Turbine Blade. The Third Int. Conf. on
model is validated against experimental Fat. of Comp., 2006, 28(10), 1382-88.
results. [5] Toft, H.S., Sorensen, J.D. Reliability-
based Design of Wind Turbine Blades.
6. CONCLUSION Structural Safety, 2011, 33(6), 333-
342.
FEA model validation of a single layer lay- [6] Pohlak, M., Majak, J., Küttner, R.
up GFRP wind turbine blade has been Multicriteria Optimization of Large
performed. Experimental bending test and Composite Parts. Composite
modal analysis have confirmed the results Structures, 2010, 92, 2146-152.
achieved in the ANSYS model. It can be [7] Kers, J., Majak, J. Modeling a New
concluded that: Composite From a Recycled GFRP.
a) Simplified representation of the Mechanics of Composite Materials,
skin layout in FEA can be used to 2008, 44(6), 623 - 632.
study the stiffness, and strength [8] Chen, C.P., Kam, T.Y. Failure
characteristic of the blade. Analysis of Small Composite
b) Simplified representation is suitable Sandwich Turbine Subjected to
to study the lower natural Extreme Wind Load. The Proc. of the
frequencies of the blade. 20th East Asia-Pacific Conf. on Str.
In future studies different connections Eng. and Const., 2011, 14, 1973-981.
interfaces have to be examined in greater [9] Yanbin, C., Lei, S., Feng, Z. Modal
detail. It is planned to develop design Analysis of Wind Turbine Blade Made
principles for the root tube-resin and skin- of Composite Laminated Parts. Pow.
glue interfaces. Also a study of fatigue and En. Eng. Conf., 2010 Asia-Pacific,
properties of the blade shall be carried out. 2010, 1-4.
[10] ANSYS, Inc. ANSYS 14.0, Manual,
7. REFERENCES 2011
[11] Herranen, H., Pabut, O., Eerme, M.,
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Wind-Turbine Rotor Blades in AUTHORS
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[3] Jureczko, M., Pawlak, M., Mežyk, A. TUT, Department of Machinery
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Mat. Proc. Tech, 2005, 167(2-3), 463- E-mail: ottpabut@hotmail.com
471. http://www.ttu.ee