Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Strength and stiffness characterization and enhancement of a horizontal axis wind turbine blade using an experimental fatigue test bench

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article aims to evaluate the performance of a blade prototype made of composite materials in terms of stiffness and mechanical strength. In this purpose, series of load levels will be applied to the blade in the direction of flapwise and edgewise loading to characterize strength and stiffness of the structure which is degrades as a function of the loading rate and the number of cycles. A test bench has been designed and built in the laboratory to test a blade of 712 mm in length for fatigue. The results of this experiment will be used to assess the structural integrity of the blades during their manufacturing process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

Authors confirm that all relevant data and material are included in the article.

Code Availability

Authors ensure that all relevant data are included in the article.

Abbreviations

C:

Chord length (mm)

NACA:

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

CATIA:

Computer aided three-dimensional interactive application

3D Printing:

Three dimensions printing

CNC:

Computer numerical control

HAWTB:

Horizontal axis wind turbine blade

References

  1. Fertahi, Saïfed-Dîn, Belhadad, Tarik, Kanna, Anass, Samaouali, A, Kadiri, I, Arid, A, Benini, E, Agounoun, R, El Rhafiki, T, El Kadri Elyamani, Nacer Eddine: 3D CFD modeling for the limits’ identification of 2D flow pattern’s effects on the aerodynamic performance of a reference H-Darrieus prototype. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM) (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-023-01360-2

  2. Mansour, M., Tsongas, K., Tzetzis, D., Antoniadis, A.: Mechanical and dynamic behavior of fused filament fabrication 3d printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol reinforced with carbon fibers. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering 57(16), 1715–1725 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Shokrieh, Mahmood M., Rafiee, Roham: Simulation of fatigue failure in a full composite wind turbine blade. Composite Structures 74(3), 332–342 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Rajad, Omar, Mounir, Hamid: A review on the hawctb performance enhancement methods, numerical models and ai concept used for the blade composite structure assessment: Context of new industry 5.0. pages 1–6, Nov (2021)

  5. Ji, Ruixue, Zhao, Libin, Wang, Kangkang, Fengrui Liu, Yu., Gong, and Jianyu Zhang.: Effects of debonding defects on the postbuckling and failure behaviors of composite stiffened panel under uniaxial compression. Composite Structures 256, 113121 (2021)

  6. Bazilevs, Y., Hsu, M.-C., Kiendl, J., Wüchner, R., Bletzinger, K.-U.: 3d simulation of wind turbine rotors at full scale. part ii: Fluid–structure interaction modeling with composite blades. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 65(1–3), 236–253 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fertahi, S., Bouhal, T., Rajad, Omar, Kousksou, T., Arid, A., El Rhafiki, T., Jamil, A., Benbassou, A., et al.: Cfd performance enhancement of a low cut-in speed current vertical tidal turbine through the nested hybridization of savonius and darrieus. Energy Conversion and Management 169, 266–278 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. de Freitas Pinto, Ricardo Luiz Utsch, Gonçalves, Bruna Patrícia Furtado: A revised theoretical analysis of aerodynamic optimization of horizontal-axis wind turbines based on bem theory. Renewable Energy, 105(Supplement C):625 – 636, (2017)

  9. Alaoui, R. El, Mounir, H, Boudi, E. M., Marjani A. El, Echab, H., Mohsine, A.: Performances comparison of wind turbine blades materials. pages 375–380, (2016)

  10. Wang, Wei-Cheng, Teah Heng-Yi: Life cycle assessment of small-scale horizontal axis wind turbines in taiwan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 141(Supplement C):492 – 501, (2017)

  11. Liu, Xiong, Lu, Cheng, Li, Gangqiang, Godbole, Ajit, Chen Yan: Effects of aerodynamic damping on the tower load of offshore horizontal axis wind turbines. Applied Energy, 204(Supplement C):1101 – 1114, (2017)

  12. Wang, Lin, Kolios, Athanasios, Nishino, Takafumi, Delafin, Pierre-Luc, Bird Theodore: Structural optimisation of vertical-axis wind turbine composite blades based on finite element analysis and genetic algorithm. Composite Structures, 153(Supplement C):123 – 138, (2016)

  13. Chen, Xiao, Haselbach, Philipp Ulrich, Branner, Kim, Madsen, Steen Hjelm: Effects of different material failures and surface contact on structural response of trailing edge sections in composite wind turbine blades. Composite Structures, 226:111306, (2019)

  14. Chen, Xiao, Zhao, Wei, Zhao, Xiao Lu, Xu Jian Zhong: Preliminary failure investigation of a 52.3m glass/epoxy composite wind turbine blade. Engineering Failure Analysis, 44:345–350, (2014)

  15. Chen Xiao, Berring Peter, Madsen Steen Hjelm, Branner Kim, Semenov Sergei: Understanding progressive failure mechanisms of a wind turbine blade trailing edge section through subcomponent tests and nonlinear fe analysis. Composite Structures, 214:422–438, (2019)

  16. Rajad Omar, Mounir Hamid, Marjani Abdellatif El et al. Nonlinear modeling analysis of the coupled mechanical strength and stiffness enhancement of composite materials of a horizontal axis wind turbine blade (hawtb). International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), pages 1–24, (2022)

  17. Rajad, Omar, Mounir, Hamid, El Marjani, Abdellatif: Modeling, understanding and enhancing the mechanical response of the hawtb composite structure through the nonlinear fe analysis of a proposed sub-model. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM) 15(4), 631–659 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang, Jinghua, Huang, Xuemei, Wei, Chendi, Zhang, Leian, Li, Chengliang, Liu, Weisheng: Failure analysis at trailing edge of a wind turbine blade through subcomponent test. Engineering Failure Analysis, page 105596, (2021)

  19. Lahuerta, F., Koorn, N., Smissaert, D.: Wind turbine blade trailing edge failure assessment with sub-component test on static and fatigue load conditions. Composite Structures 204, 755–766 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Ezzaraa, Ismail, Ayrilmis, Nadir, Abouelmajd, Mohamed, Kuzman Manja Kitek, Bahlaoui, Ahmed, Arroub, Ismail, Bengourram, Jamaa, Lagache, Manuel, Belhouideg, Soufiane: Numerical modeling based on finite element analysis of 3d-printed wood-polylactic acid composites: A comparison with experimental data. Forests, 14(1), (2023)

  21. Rouway, Marwane, Nachtane, Mourad, Tarfaoui, Mostapha, Chakhchaoui, Nabil, Omari, L., Fraija, Fouzia, Cherkaoui Omar: 3d printing: rapid manufacturing of a new smallscale tidal turbine blade. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 115, 07 (2021)

  22. Bassett, K., Carriveau, R., Ting, D.S.-K.: 3d printed wind turbines part 1: Design considerations and rapid manufacture potential. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 11, 186–193 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kang, SeokKoo, Kim, Youngkyu, Lee, Jiyong, Khosronejad, Ali, Yang, Xiaolei: Wake interactions of two horizontal axis tidal turbines in tandem. Ocean Engineering 254, 111331 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Amarir, Imane, Mounir, Hamid, Rajad, Omar, Amadane, Yassine: Fatigue performance investigation on the automotive welded structure under damped loads using the taguchi method. Heat Transfer 52(1), 162–192 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Rouway, Marwane, Tarfaoui, Mostapha, Chakhchaoui, Nabil, Omari, Lhaj El Hachemi, Fraija, Fouzia, Cherkaoui Omar: Additive manufacturing and composite materials for marine energy: Case of tidal turbine. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 0(0):null, 0

  26. Tarfaoui, M., Shah, O. R., Nachtane, M.: Design and Optimization of Composite Offshore Wind Turbine Blades. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 141(5), 01 051204 (2019)

  27. Kam, T.Y., Su, H.M., Huang, C.Y.: Quasi-static buckling and first-ply failure loads of shear web reinforced glass-fabric composite wind blades. Composite Structures, 160(Supplement C):1225 – 1235, (2017)

  28. TS IEC. 61400-23 “wind turbine generator systems–part 23: Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades”. (2001)

  29. Germanischer-lloyd (gl) design standard, guideline for the certification of wind turbines edition. (2010)

  30. Kumar, Vedulla Manoj, Rao, B Nageswara, Farooq, Sk.: Modeling and analysis of wind turbine blade with advanced materials by simulation. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research 11(6), 4491–4499 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Rajad, O., Hamid, M., Fertahi, S. e., Marjani, A. E.: Fiber orientation effect on the behavior of the composite materials of the horizontal axis wind turbine blade (hawtb). pages 1–6, (2018)

  32. Amenabar, I., Mendikute, A., López-Arraiza, A., Lizaranzu, M., Aurrekoetxea, J.: Comparison and analysis of non-destructive testing techniques suitable for delamination inspection in wind turbine blades. Composites Part B: Engineering 42(5), 1298–1305 (2011)

  33. Airfoil tools, http://airfoiltools.com. (2022)

  34. Kam, T.Y., Chiu Y.H.: Progressive failure of composite wind blades with a shear-web spar subjected to static testing. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 211:012012, jun (2017)

  35. Rajad, O., Mounir, H.: The stiffness assessment of the blade composite structure using a proposed sub-model arbitrary rectangular with delamination effect. Int J Interact Des Manuf, (2022)

  36. Rajad, Omar, Mounir, Hamid, Lamrhari, Mohammed, Amadane Yassine: Fatigue testing experimentation of a composite blade prototype of 712 mm in length. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), pages 1–11, (2022)

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was not supported by any public, commercial, or not-for-profit company.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratory in Physics and Sciences for Engineers (LRPSI), Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

    Omar Rajad & Soufiane Belhouideg

  2. EMISys Research Team, Engineering 3S Research Center, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco

    Omar Rajad & Hamid Mounir

  3. LabSIPE, National School of Applied Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco

    Mohamed Rich

  4. Energy Laboratory, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers-ENSAM, Moulay Ismail University (U.M.I), Energy Laboratory, Meknes, Morocco

    Chadia Haidar

  5. Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (LMAGP), Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133, Kenitra, Morocco

    Amina El Kasri

Authors
  1. Omar Rajad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hamid Mounir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamed Rich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Soufiane Belhouideg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chadia Haidar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Amina El Kasri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

OR and HM designed the HAWTB and performed the experimental study. OR, MR and SB contributed to the re-inforcement idea of writing this paper. CH and AEK reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Omar Rajad.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rajad, O., Mounir, H., Rich, M. et al. Strength and stiffness characterization and enhancement of a horizontal axis wind turbine blade using an experimental fatigue test bench. Int J Interact Des Manuf 18, 149–158 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-023-01434-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-023-01434-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation