Fluid structure interaction analysis of a wind turbine blade with bend-twist coupling for performance enhancement

Masoudi, Mehdi (2018) Fluid structure interaction analysis of a wind turbine blade with bend-twist coupling for performance enhancement. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (4MB)

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the aeroelastic capacities of a blade through geometry based bend twist coupling (BTC). Power optimization is performed based on Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) on NREL phase VI rotor and optimized power and elastic twist curves are presented. Elastic twist of the blade can be tailored to improve blade performance. BTC is implemented through the blade spar and blade planform. An L beam is incorporated in the blade as spar and fluid-structure interaction analysis is conducted. 1-way and 2-way fluid-structure interaction analysis are performed and compared. CFD results are verified with experimental data. Induced elastic twist is presented for different spar thicknesses and spar locations over a range of wind speeds. The results show improved elastic twist with a thicker spar placed closer to the tip of the blade. Modified blade designs with different curved planform are analyzed and the results are presented in this thesis. The curved blade is modeled and analyzed with L spar and box spar to compare the effects of spar type on elastic twist. More elastic twist is predicted in the blade with L spar compared to the blade with box spar. Elastic twist of up to 0.7˚ is yielded from the curved blades with L spar with bend depth of 1.5 m. A power increase of 1.89% for the wind turbine due to the induced elastic twist is predicted.

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