Influence of Composite Fatigue Properties on Marine Tidal Turbine Blade Design

Abstract

The structural design of marine tidal turbine blades is governed by the hydrodynamic shape of the aerofoil, extreme loadings and composite material mechanical properties. The design of the aerofoil, chord and twist distribution along the blade is generated to optimise turbine performance over its life time. Structural design gives the optimal layout of composite laminae such that ultimate strength and buckling resistance requirements are satisfied. Most structural design approaches consider only extreme static loads, with a lack of dynamic loads-based fatigue design for tidal blades. Approaches for tidal turbine blade design based on dry and immersed composite material fatigue life are studied.

Strain self-sensing capability of a tidal turbine blade fabricated of PU-foam/glass fiber/epoxy composites using MWCNTs

“…9,10 Regarding the structural testing of blades, researchers have used simulation techniques and experimental methods to evaluate the performance of tidal turbine blades. For instance, Jaksic et al 11 carried out a comprehensive experimental investigation on structural behavior of full-scale composite blades by means of structural designs, material systems, finite element analysis (FEA), static tests and full-scale fatigue tests. One notable work is from Gonabadi et al 12 in which they performed a design methodology based on hydrodynamic models and FEA to carry out experimental validation on small-scale composite blades in order to predict the performance of the blade under extreme loading conditions.…”

Numerical Analysis and Experimental Verification of Damage Identification Metrics for Smart Beam with MFC Elements to Support Structural Health Monitoring

“…Furthermore, the use of composite materials for this topic is important as a benchmark due to their extensive use in new sectors, especially in marine environments [21]. Over time, their degradation, especially in the durability aspects for saline and harsh marine environments [35], will be of particular relevance around this topic. There is thus a need for a detailed numerical and experimental investigation of a relatively generic example which can be used in the future for similar studies, but also as an evidence base for current performance of patchbased energy harvesting and SHM, future adaption to new sensors, and to new structural systems and environments.…”

Structural reliability study of hydrokinetic turbine blade operating in tropical conditions

“…Therefore, the design is generally based on the SN graph of the dry composite material with specific layup sequence used in the blade spar. The effect of seawater on fatigue behaviour is rarely considered [110]. Although, the DNV-GL standard design guidelines recommend the inclusion of fatigue as one of the limit states in the structural design of a tidal turbine blade [22], its implementation is complicated, since the standard emphasizes the importance of including the combined effect of the environmental conditions and cyclic loading on the mechanical response of the blade.…”