Parametric Analysis of Composite Wind Turbine Blades: An Aerodynamic Perspective

Abstract

This research represents a developed computational model to characterize the influence of two important parameters associated with aerodynamics of a composite wind turbine blade. At first, theoretical formulations are presented using Lagrange’s equations. Results are then presented for three distinct states, including the influence of 1) σ (μ=cte.), 2) μ (σ=cte.), and 3) simultaneous changes in both μ and σ. The represented model is able to predict aerodynamic performance of a composite turbine blade for any given value of studied parameters. Comparing 20% increase and decrease in either of these parameters suggest that they play a crucial role in aerodynamic analysis of composite turbines. It is also shown that when both parameters decrease simultaneously, both frequency and air speed associated with flutter drop noticeably; while on the condition that they increase at the same time, no considerable change is seen in air speed in which flutter occurs.