Structural Performance of 14m HAWT blade through CFD

Abstract

An alternative method used in generating energy is with the help of wind turbines utilizing power from the winds. The efficient extraction of energy hinges on the geometry and structure of the blade. The blade of wind turbine encounters high operational loads and undergoes fluctuating conditions of environment. The proposed work comprises of creating an exact model using CAD applications which includes the optimized geometry of the blade in addition with process verification of structural integrity, under several operating conditions by the means of finite element analysis. The prime motive of the proposed study is to check and evaluate the reliability of the blades by developing the entire geometry of the blade and performing failure analysis by altering load conditions. The construction of blade geometry is done by implementing the blade element momentum theory (BEMT) in order to retrieve the ultimate power coefficient at the required tip speed ratio of 7.05 by the means of optimization process. The NACA 63(4)-221 airfoil is used to create the primary design of blade. Blade with 14 m length has been taken for the present work for RRB V27-225 kW HAWT (horizontal axis wind turbine blade), which is an exclusive design of the blade. In order to perform analysis and modeling of the blade in presence and absence of shear web, two individual materials such as carbon fiber and glass fiber are taken in account. In the case of carbon fibre with shear web, the structural strength is improved which is shown in the results.