Abstract:
In this thesis, the aim is to present methodology for the preliminary design of wind turbine blade structure. Four structure layouts, i.e. skin thickening, web-spar, casket and stiffened panel are investigated and simulated. The effectiveness regarding strength, stiffness and weight are evaluated and compared. The turbine blade is fabricated from fiberglass reinforced plastic composite subjected to critical wind loading cases. The classical lamination theory is used to size local skin thicknesses, and the Finite Element Analysis is then employed to analyses the complete blade structures. Maximum stress criterion, tip deflection and skin buckling are considered.
From this research, it was found that the design method can be used for preliminary design of wind turbine blade structure. The result obtained from finite element analysis simulation showed that the most effective blade structure is the casket structure. In addition, the sandwich structure was investigated showing a promising concept for the blade application.