Accelerated Full Scale Fatigue Testing Of A Small Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using A Mechanically Operated Test Rig

Epaarachchi, Jayantha A. and Clausen, Philip D. (2004). Accelerated Full Scale Fatigue Testing Of A Small Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using A Mechanically Operated Test Rig. In: Atrens, A., Boland, J. N., Clegg, R. and Griffiths, J. R. Structural Integrity and Fracture International Conference (SIF'04), Brisbane, Australia, (111-117). 26-29 September 2004.

Document type: Conference Paper
Collection: School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering Publications
 
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Author(s) Epaarachchi, Jayantha A.
Clausen, Philip D.
Title of paper Accelerated Full Scale Fatigue Testing Of A Small Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using A Mechanically Operated Test Rig
Conference name Structural Integrity and Fracture International Conference (SIF'04)
Conference location Brisbane, Australia
Conference dates 26-29 September 2004
Editor(s) Atrens, A.
Boland, J. N.
Clegg, R.
Griffiths, J. R.
Publication date 2004
Start page 111
End page 117
Abstract/Summary A 2.5m long glass fibre reinforced plastic composite wind turbine blade was fatigue tested by means of a mechanically operated test rig. The rig uses a crank eccentric mechanism to flex the blade by a constant displacement in the flapwise direction for each load cycle. A yearly fatigue-loading spectrum for the blades has been developed from using short-term detailed aeroelastic and wind measurements, results from a detailed finite element model of the blade and averaged long-term wind data form the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This spectrum contained over 200 load levels covering R ratios from 0 to 0.9. An equivalent damage spectrum has been formulated to minimise the number of load levels within the spectrum without compromising the amount of damage done to the blade structure. Results of fatigue testing indicate that predictions are close to the measured fatigue life of the blade. The stress distribution in fatigue critical areas of the blade during testing was found to be similar to the expected stress distribution under normal operational condition.
Subjects 290501 Mechanical Engineering
Keyword(s) fatigue
wind turbine
blade
load
testing
 
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Created: Fri, 17 Dec 2004, 10:00:00 EST by Belinda Weaver (EA) on behalf of Research and Research Training  -  Detailed History