Open AccessA critical assessment of computer tools for calculating composite wind turbine blade properties
Author(s) -
Chen Hui,
Yu Wenbin,
Capellaro Mark
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
wind energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1099-1824
pISSN - 1095-4244
DOI - 10.1002/we.372
Subject(s) - turbine blade , blade (archaeology) , turbine , engineering , benchmark (surveying) , mechanical engineering , structural engineering , marine engineering , isotropy , foundation (evidence) , composite number , computer science , geology , physics , geodesy , archaeology , quantum mechanics , algorithm , history
The purpose of this paper is to critically assess several computer tools for calculating the inertial and structural properties of wind turbine blades. The theoretical foundation of each tool is briefly summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of each tool are pointed out. Several benchmark examples, including a circular aluminium tube, a highly heterogeneous section, a multi‐layer composite pipe, an isotropic blade‐like section and a realistic composite wind turbine blade are used to evaluate the performance of different tools. Such a systematic and critical assessment provides guidance for wind turbine blade engineers to choose the right tool for effective design and analysis of wind turbine blades. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.