Wind turbine seismic load analysis based on numerical calculation

Abstract

Large-scale wind turbines have come into common use in Europe. Because violent earthquakes are relatively rare there, insufficient consideration has been given to the seismic impact on the wind turbine specifications; however, at present, there are many wind farms being constructed in earthquake-prone regions, and the seismic impact cannot be ignored in wind turbine designs. Based on the multi-body system dynamic theory and taking into consideration the soil-structure interaction, this paper proposes a blade-cabin-tower-foundation coupled model in order to study the load-bearing conditions of wind turbines under seismic impact. According to the basic theory of multi-body system dynamics, the wind turbine blade and tower system comprises a series of continuous discrete units, while soil-structure interaction in the tower system is realized through the spring and damping set on the interface between the foundation and the soil body; the cabin is simplified as a rigid model. Based on the Eurocode 8 earthquake load spectrum, the dynamic response of a wind turbine working under seismic impact is analysed, and the seismic load is compared. Results of the study can serve as references for designing key parts and control strategies of wind turbines for earthquake-prone regions.