Finite Element Analysis Application

The Structural Blade Design and Testing Group uses so-called hybrid approach, i.e. the experimental work is combined with numerical analysis to fully address the critical failure mechanisms and to obtain better understanding of the complex structural behaviour of wind turbine blades. The extensive testing performed at Risø DTU gives considerable information regarding both materials and structural design of the blade. This provides the wind energy industry with possible solution to improve blade design.
The Finite Element Method enables researchers to analyze behaviour of larger, even enormous blades, what would not be possible in a real test. Once the FEM results are validated with a full scale test, the results for a non-existing blade can be considered reasonable and acceptable. Finite Element Analysis supported with full scale tests leads to alternative solutions creating stronger blade structure. The ideal, suggested by FEM, would be a total redesign of the blade. Since this is not always feasible, realistic improvements are invented and verified in tests.


Pyramid representing multi-scale approach of Finite Element Analyses performed by the Blade Design Group.


A  team has been established composed of professionals from different fields. They have been gathered together sharing interest in the topic of Finite Element Modelling of Composites.
If you are interested, visit  http://www.fem-composite.risoe.dk/.