Articles | Volume 11, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2345-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2345-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Large-eddy simulation of the IEA 15 MW wind turbine using a two-way coupled fluid–structure interaction model
Claudio Bernardi
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy
Stefania Cherubini
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy
Felice Manganelli
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy
Giacomo Della Posta
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, RM, 00184, Italy
Stefano Leonardi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
Pietro De Palma
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy
Cited articles
Abdel Hafeez, M. M. and El-Badawy, A. A.: Flutter limit investigation for a horizontal axis wind turbine blade, J. Vib. Acoust., 140, 041014, https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4039402, 2018. a
Bartl, J. and Sætran, L.: Blind test comparison of the performance and wake flow between two in-line wind turbines exposed to different turbulent inflow conditions, Wind Energ. Sci., 2, 55–76, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2-55-2017, 2017. a
Bayati, I., Belloli, M., Bernini, L., and Zasso, A.: Aerodynamic design methodology for wind tunnel tests of wind turbine rotors, J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerod., 167, 217–227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2017.05.004, 2017. a
Bazilevs, Y., Hsu, M.-C., Kiendl, J., Wüchner, R., and Bletzinger, K.-U.: 3D simulation of wind turbine rotors at full scale. Part II: Fluid-structure interaction modeling with composite blades, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fl., 65, 236–253, https://doi.org/10.1002/fld.2454, 2011. a
Bernardi, C., Posta, G. D., Palma, P. D., Leonardi, S., Bernardoni, F., Bernardini, M., and Cherubini, S.: The effect of the tower's modeling on the aero-elastic response of the NREL 5 MW wind turbine, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2505, 012037, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2505/1/012037, 2023. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Boorsma, K., Greco, L., and Bedon, G.: Rotor wake engineering models for aeroelastic applications, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1037, 062013, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1037/6/062013, 2018. a
Boorsma, K., Schepers, G., Aagard Madsen, H., Pirrung, G., Sørensen, N., Bangga, G., Imiela, M., Grinderslev, C., Meyer Forsting, A., Shen, W. Z., Croce, A., Cacciola, S., Schaffarczyk, A. P., Lobo, B., Blondel, F., Gilbert, P., Boisard, R., Höning, L., Greco, L., Testa, C., Branlard, E., Jonkman, J., and Vijayakumar, G.: Progress in the validation of rotor aerodynamic codes using field data, Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 211–230, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-211-2023, 2023. a
Boorsma, K., Schepers, J. G., Pirrung, G. R., Madsen, H. A., Sørensen, N. N., Grinderslev, C., Bangga, G., Imiela, M., Croce, A., Cacciola, S., Blondel, F., Branlard, E., and Jonkman, J.: Challenges in Rotor Aerodynamic Modeling for Non-Uniform Inflow Conditions, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2767, 022006, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2767/2/022006, 2024. a
Burton, T., Jenkins, N., Sharpe, D., and Bossanyi, E.: Wind energy handbook, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-0-470-69975-1, 2011. a
Cacciola, S., Croce, A., Bangga, G., Pirrung, G., Bonfils, N., Greco, L., Aryan, N., Castorrini, A., Morici, V., Chetan, M., Jonkman, J., Branlard, E., Cherubini, S., Bernardi, C., Boorsma, K., Schepers, J. G., Savenije, F. J., Bianchini, A., Pagamonci, L., Papi, F., Hach, O., Imiela, M., and Witt, D.: A Comparative Study of Different Modeling Tools and Analysis Techniques for Aeroelastic Stability Assessment. in Proceedings of The Science of Making Torque from Wind (TORQUE 2026): Aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, and aeroacoustics, 042028, IOP Publishing, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, no. 4, vol. 3224, 2026 The Science of making Torque from wind, Bruges, Belgium, 03/06/2026, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/3224/4/042028, 2026. a, b, c
Chen, X.: Experimental investigation on structural collapse of a large composite wind turbine blade under combined bending and torsion, Compos. Struct., 160, 435–445, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.10.086, 2017. a
Chung, J. and Hulbert, G. M.: A Time Integration Algorithm for Structural Dynamics With Improved Numerical Dissipation: The Generalized-α Method, J. Appl. Mech., 60, 371–375, https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2900803, 1993. a
Ciri, U., Petrolo, G., Salvetti, M. V., and Leonardi, S.: Large-Eddy Simulations of Two In-Line Turbines in a Wind Tunnel with Different Inflow Conditions, Energies, 10, 821, https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060821, 2017. a, b
Courant, R., Friedrichs, K., and Lewy, H.: On the partial difference equations of mathematical physics, IBM J. Res. Dev., 11, 215–234, https://doi.org/10.1147/rd.112.0215, 1967. a
Damgaard, M., Ibsen, L. B., Andersen, L. V., and Andersen, J. K.: Cross-wind modal properties of offshore wind turbines identified by full scale testing, J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerod., 116, 94–108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2013.03.003, 2013. a
Damiani, R., Jonkman, J., and Hayman, G.: SubDyn user's guide and theory manual, Tech. rep., National Renewable Energy Lab.(NREL), Golden, CO, USA, 2015. a
Della Posta, G., Leonardi, S., and Bernardini, M.: Large eddy simulations of a utility-scale horizontal axis wind turbine including unsteady aerodynamics and fluid-structure interaction modelling, Wind Energy, 26, 98–125, https://doi.org/10.1002/we.2789, 2023. a, b, c
Dong, X., Lian, J., Wang, H., Yu, T., and Zhao, Y.: Structural vibration monitoring and operational modal analysis of offshore wind turbine structure, Ocean Eng., 150, 280–297, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.12.052, 2018. a
Gaertner, E., Rinker, J., Sethuraman, L., Zahle, F., Anderson, B., Barter, G., Abbas, N., Meng, F., Bortolotti, P., Skrzypinski, W., Scott, G., Feil, R., Bredmose, H., Dykes, K., Sheilds, M., Allen, C., and Viselli, A.: Definition of the IEA 15-Megawatt Offshore Reference Wind Turbine, Tech. rep., International Energy Agency, https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/75698.pdf (last access: 10 October 2024), 2020a. a
Gaertner, E., Rinker, J., Sethuraman, L., Zahle, F., Anderson, B., Barter, G., Abbas, N., Meng, F., Bortolotti, P., Skrzypinski, W., Scott, G., Feil, R., Bredmose, H., Dykes, K., Shields, M., Allen, C., and Viselli, A.: Definition of the IEA 15-megawatt offshore reference wind turbine, https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/238027930/75698.pdf (last access: 10 October 2024), 2020b. a, b, c
Hansen, M.: Aerodynamics of wind turbines, Routledge, ISBN 978-1-138-77507-7, 2015. a
Hansen, M. H.: Aeroelastic instability problems for wind turbines, Wind Energy, 10, 551–577, https://doi.org/10.1002/we.242, 2007. a
Heinz, J.: Partitioned Fluid-Structure Interaction for Full Rotor Computations Using CFD, PhD thesis, DTU Wind Energy, Denmark, ISBN 978-87-92896-74-2, 2013. a
Jonkman, J.: The New Modularization Framework for the FAST Wind Turbine CAE Tool, in: 51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Grapevine (Dallas/Ft. Worth Region), Texas, 7–10 January 2013, AIAA 2013-202, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-202, 2013. a
Jonkman, J. M., Hayman, G., Jonkman, B., Damiani, R., and Murray, R.: AeroDyn v15 user’s guide and theory manual, NREL Draft Report, Vol. 46, 2015. a
Manwell, J. F., McGowan, J. G., and Rogers, A. L.: Wind energy explained: theory, design and application, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-0-470-01500-1, 2010. a
Martinez-Tossas, L. A., Churchfield, M. J., Yilmaz, A. E., Sarlak, H., Johnson, P. L., Sørensen, J. N., Meyers, J., and Meneveau, C.: Comparison of four large-eddy simulation research codes and effects of model coefficient and inflow turbulence in actuator-line-based wind turbine modeling, J. Renew. Sustain. Ener., 10, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5004710, 2018. a
Moeller, T.: Blade cracks signal new stress problem, WindPower Monthly, Vol. 25, 1997. a
Moriarty, P. J. and Hansen, A. C.: AeroDyn Theory Manual, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, https://doi.org/10.2172/15014831, 2005. a
Orlandi, P.: Fluid flow phenomena: a numerical toolkit, Vol. 55, Springer Science & Business Media, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4281-6, 2012. a
Orlandi, P. and Leonardi, S.: DNS of turbulent channel flows with two-and three-dimensional roughness, J. Turbul., 7, N73, https://doi.org/10.1080/14685240600827526, 2006. a
Pagamonci, L., Papi, F., Balduzzi, F., Xie, S., Sadique, J., Scienza, P., and Bianchini, A.: To what extent is aeroelasticity impacting multi-megawatt wind turbine upscaling? A critical assessment, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2648, 012005, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2648/1/012005, 2023. a, b, c, d
Pino Martín, M., Piomelli, U., and Candler, G. V.: Subgrid-scale models for compressible large-eddy simulations, Theor. Comp. Fluid Dyn., 13, 361–376, 2000. a
Porte-Agel, F. and Wu, Y.-T.: Large-Eddy Simulation of Wind-Turbine Wakes: Evaluation of Turbine Parametrisations, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 138, 345–366, 2011. a
Reschke, C.: Flight loads analysis with inertially coupled equations of motion, in: AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit, San Francisco, California, 15–18 August 2005, AIAA 2005-6026, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2005-6026, 2005. a
Ribeiro, A. F. P., Casalino, D., and Ferreira, C. S.: Nonlinear inviscid aerodynamics of a wind turbine rotor in surge, sway, and yaw motions using a free-wake panel method, Wind Energ. Sci., 8, 661–675, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-8-661-2023, 2023. a
Rinker, J., Gaertner, E., Zahle, F., Skrzypiński, W., Abbas, N., Bredmose, H., Barter, G., and Dykes, K.: Comparison of loads from HAWC2 and OpenFAST for the IEA Wind 15 MW Reference Wind Turbine, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1618, 052052, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1618/5/052052, 2020. a
Sabale, A. K. and Gopal, N. K. V.: Nonlinear Aeroelastic Analysis of Large Wind Turbines Under Turbulent Wind Conditions, AIAA Journal, 57, 4416–4432, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J057404, 2019. a
Saltari, F., Riso, C., Matteis, G. D., and Mastroddi, F.: Finite-element-based modeling for flight dynamics and aeroelasticity of flexible aircraft, J. Aircraft, 54, 2350–2366, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C034159, 2017. a
Santoni, C., Ciri, U., Rotea, M., and Leonardi, S.: Development of a high fidelity CFD code for wind farm control, in: 2015 American Control Conference (ACC), Chicago, IL, USA, 1–3 July 2015, IEEE, 1715–1720, https://doi.org/10.1109/ACC.2015.7170980, 2015. a
Santoni, C., García-Cartagena, E. J., Ciri, U., Zhan, L., Valerio Iungo, G., and Leonardi, S.: One-way mesoscale-microscale coupling for simulating a wind farm in North Texas: Assessment against SCADA and LiDAR data, Wind Energy, 23, 691–710, https://doi.org/10.1002/we.2452, 2020. a
Schepers, J., Boorsma, K., Madsen, H., Pirrung, G., Bangga, G., Guma, G., Lutz, T., Potentier, T., Braud, C., Guilmineau, E., Croce, A., Cacciola, S., Schaffarczyk, A. P., Lobo, B. A., Ivanell, S., Asmuth, H., Bertagnolio, F., Sørensen, N., Shen, W. Z., Grinderslev, C., Forsting, A. M., Blondel, F., Bozonnet, P., Boisard, R., Yassin, K., Hoening, L., Stoevesandt, B., Imiela, M., Greco, L., Testa, C., Magionesi, F., Vijayakumar, G., Ananthan, S., Sprague, M. A., Branlard, E., Jonkman, J., Carrion, M., Parkinson, S., and Cicirello, E.: IEA Wind TCP Task 29, Phase IV: Detailed Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines, Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4813068, 2021. a, b
Schepers, J. G., Boorsma, K., Bois, R., Bangga, G., Jonkman, J., Kelley, C., Branlard, E., Gonçalves Pinto, W., Imiela, M., Hach, O., Greco, L., Testa, C., Aryan, N., Madsen, H., Croce, A., Cacciola, S., Pirrung, G., Sørensen, N., Grinderslev, C., Bernardi, C., Cherubini, S., Bianchini, A., Papi, F., Pagamonci, L., Braud, C., Höning, L., Theron, J., and Mohan, K.: Turbinia, turbulent inflow innovative aerodynamics, Tech. rep., IEA Wind TCP – Task47, Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17897185, 2025. a, b, c, d
Shen, W. Z., Mikkelsen, R., Sørensen, J. N., and Bak, C.: Tip loss corrections for wind turbine computations, Wind Energy, 8, 457–475, https://doi.org/10.1002/we.153, 2005. a, b
Sorensen, J. and Shen, W. Z.: Numerical Modeling of Wind Turbine Wakes, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 124, 393–399, https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1471361, 2002. a
Sørensen, J. N.: Aerodynamic aspects of wind energy conversion, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., 43, 427–448, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-fluid-122109-160801, 2011. a
Stevens, R. J., Martinez-Tossas, L. A., and Meneveau, C.: Comparison of wind farm large eddy simulations using actuator disk and actuator line models with wind tunnel experiments, Renewable Energy, 116, 470–478, 2018. a
Troldborg, N.: Actuator line modeling of wind turbine wakes, PhD thesis, Technical University of Denmark, ISBN 978-87-89502-80-9, 2009. a
Vermeer, L., Sørensen, J. N., and Crespo, A.: Wind turbine wake aerodynamics, Prog. Aerosp. Sci., 39, 467–510, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-0421(03)00078-2, 2003. a
Wang, L., Liu, X., and Kolios, A.: State of the art in the aeroelasticity of wind turbine blades: Aeroelastic modelling, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 64, 195–210, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.007, 2016a. a
Yu, D. O. and Kwon, O. J.: Predicting wind turbine blade loads and aeroelastic response using a coupled CFD-CSD method, Renewable Energy, 70, 184–196, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.03.033, 2014. a
Zahle, F., Barlas, A., Lønbæk, K., Bortolotti, P., Zalkind, D., Wang, L., Labuschagne, C., Sethuraman, L., and Barter, G.: Definition of the IEA Wind 22-Megawatt Offshore Reference Wind Turbine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 68 pp., https://doi.org/10.11581/DTU.00000317, 2024. a
Zhang, Y., Song, Y., Shen, C., and Chen, N.-Z.: Aerodynamic and structural analysis for blades of a 15MW floating offshore wind turbine, Ocean Eng., 287, 115785, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115785, 2023. a
Zheng, J., Wang, N., Wan, D., and Strijhak, S.: Numerical investigations of coupled aeroelastic performance of wind turbines by elastic actuator line model, Appl. Energ., 330, 120361, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120361, 2023. a
Short summary
We studied how very large wind turbines respond to wind forces by using advanced computer simulations that capture both airflow and how the blades bend and twist. Our results show that including the tower and blade twisting is crucial to predict performance and loads accurately. Compared to standard tools, our method gives a more complete picture of turbine behavior. This helps improve the design and reliability of future large-scale wind turbines.
We studied how very large wind turbines respond to wind forces by using advanced computer...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint