Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-91
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-91
24 Jul 2024
 | 24 Jul 2024
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal WES. A revision for further review has not been submitted.

On the influence of cross-sectional deformations on the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine rotor blades

Julia Sabrina Gebauer, Felix Konstantin Prigge, Dominik Ahrens, Lars Wein, and Claudio Balzani

Abstract. The aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine rotor blade depends on the geometry of the used airfoils. The airfoil shape can be affected by elastic deformations of the blade during operation due to structural loads. This paper provides an initial estimation of the extent to which cross-sectional deformations influence the aerodynamic load distribution along the rotor blade. The IEA 15 MW reference wind turbine model is used for this study. A constant wind field at the rated wind speed is applied as a test case. The resulting loads are calculated by an aero-servo-elastic simulation of the turbine. The loads are applied to a 3D finite element (FE) model of the rotor blade, which serves to calculate the cross-sectional deformations. For the individual cross-sections in the deformed configuration, the new lift and drag coefficients are calculated. These are then included in the aero-servo-elastic simulation and the obtained results are compared with those of the initial simulation that is based on the undeformed cross-sections. The cross-sectional deformations consist of a change in the chord length and the geometry of the trailing edge panels and depend largely on the azimuth position of the blade. The change in the airfoil geometries results in altered aerodynamic characteristics and therefore in a deviation of the blade root bending moments, the maximum change of which is -1.4 % in the in-plane direction and +0.71 % in the out-of-plane direction. Although these values are relatively small, the initial results imply that further investigations should be carried out with more complex wind fields and different rotor blade designs to identify aero-structural couplings that may be critical for the design of rotor blades or other wind turbine components.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Julia Sabrina Gebauer, Felix Konstantin Prigge, Dominik Ahrens, Lars Wein, and Claudio Balzani

Status: closed (peer review stopped)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Baoxuan Wang, 05 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Julia Gebauer, 12 Aug 2024
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Baoxuan Wang, 12 Aug 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on CC2', Julia Gebauer, 29 Aug 2024
  • CC3: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Matthias Saathoff, 23 Aug 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC3', Julia Gebauer, 29 Aug 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Aug 2024

Status: closed (peer review stopped)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Baoxuan Wang, 05 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Julia Gebauer, 12 Aug 2024
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Baoxuan Wang, 12 Aug 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on CC2', Julia Gebauer, 29 Aug 2024
  • CC3: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Matthias Saathoff, 23 Aug 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC3', Julia Gebauer, 29 Aug 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on wes-2024-91', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Aug 2024
Julia Sabrina Gebauer, Felix Konstantin Prigge, Dominik Ahrens, Lars Wein, and Claudio Balzani
Julia Sabrina Gebauer, Felix Konstantin Prigge, Dominik Ahrens, Lars Wein, and Claudio Balzani

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Short summary
The amount of energy that can be extracted from wind depends primarily on the blade geometry, which can be affected by elastic deformations. This paper presents a first study analysing the influence of cross-sectional deformations of a 15 MW wind turbine blade on the aero-elastic simulations. The results show small changes in geometry, and aerodynamic and structural loads even for a test case. These findings show the potential to be particularly important for larger and more flexible blades.
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