Finite Element Analysis For Local Buckling And Static Strength Of A Composite Wind Turbine Blades

The development of large wind turbine capacity calls for higher requirements for its blades in mechanical properties. The aim of this paper is to investigate the static strength and local buckling behavior of a 34m composite wind turbine blades (CWTBs). Because the geometric shape and boundary of the CWTBs are complicated, the finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze this problem.Based on the MSC Patran, some problems in the process of finite element modeling for the CWTB are discussed in this paper. The influences of the element categories, definition of material properties and loading fashions on the finite element computation for the CWTB are investigated. In terms of different task, the proposals are given to select a suitable finite element model.By means of FEM, the static strength and local buckling behavior of CWTB are analyzed. The distributions of stress and strain in the CWTB are determined. The strength of main materials in the CWTB is checked with the Tsai-Wu and Hill-Tsai failure criterion. The local buckling mode,location,stress distribution and critical load are predicted.Lastly, three schemes are put forward to improve the laminated structures of CWTBs. The feasibility of these schemes is studied by calculating the static strength and local buckling behavior of CWTBs. A new path to increase the stiffness and local buckling stability of CWTBs is pointed out.