

Composite Structural Analysis of Wind Blade for Multi-Mw Class Wind Turbine
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the failure mode estimation with 3D structural finite element (FE) analysis of wind turbine blade. In order to predict the realistic behavior in the whole blade region, bucking stability, fiber failure (FF) and inter-fiber failure (IFF) analysis were applied to account delamination or matrix failure on composite materials. The Puck’s fracture criteria were used for the IFF evaluation. The design loads for the blades which are applicable to the multi-MW wind turbine system were calculated according to GL guideline and the IEC 61400-1 standard, assuming class IIA wind conditions. After the post-processing of ultimate load results, a number of principal load cases were selected and they were converted to the applied forces at the each section along the blade’s radius of FE model. A nonlinear static analysis was performed for the laminate failure, FF and IFF analysis, and a linear eigenvalue analysis for buckling stability analysis. As a result, the failure mode and the major weak point location could be estimated.