Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine
As wind turbines increase in size, blades become longer, thinner, and more flexible, making them more susceptible to large geometric nonlinear deformations, which pose challenges for aeroelastic simulations. This study presents a nonlinear aeroelastic model that accounts for large deformations of sl...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/116 |
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| author | Zhenju Chuang Lulin Xia Yan Qu Wenhua Li Jiawen Li |
| author_facet | Zhenju Chuang Lulin Xia Yan Qu Wenhua Li Jiawen Li |
| author_sort | Zhenju Chuang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As wind turbines increase in size, blades become longer, thinner, and more flexible, making them more susceptible to large geometric nonlinear deformations, which pose challenges for aeroelastic simulations. This study presents a nonlinear aeroelastic model that accounts for large deformations of slender, flexible blades, coupled through the Actuator Line Method (ALM) and Geometrically Exact Beam Theory (GEBT). The accuracy of the model is validated by comparing it with established numerical methods, demonstrating its ability to capture the bending–torsional coupled nonlinear characteristics of highly flexible blades. A bidirectional fluid–structure coupling simulation of the IEA 15MW wind turbine under uniform flow conditions is conducted. The effect of blade nonlinear deformation on aeroelastic performance is compared with a linear model based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The study finds that nonlinear deformations reduce predicted angle of attack, decrease aerodynamic load distribution, and lead to a noticeable decline in both wind turbine performance and blade deflection. The effects on thrust and edgewise deformation are particularly significant. Additionally, nonlinear deformations weaken the tip vortex strength, slow the momentum exchange in the wake region, reduce turbulence intensity, and delay wake recovery. This study highlights the importance of considering blade nonlinear deformations in large-scale wind turbines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22aeea8543df4d938f9e075f267c6658 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-22aeea8543df4d938f9e075f267c66582025-01-24T13:36:54ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-01-0113111610.3390/jmse13010116Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind TurbineZhenju Chuang0Lulin Xia1Yan Qu2Wenhua Li3Jiawen Li4Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaNaval Architecture and Ocean Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaSchool of Marine Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, ChinaMarine Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaNavigation College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaAs wind turbines increase in size, blades become longer, thinner, and more flexible, making them more susceptible to large geometric nonlinear deformations, which pose challenges for aeroelastic simulations. This study presents a nonlinear aeroelastic model that accounts for large deformations of slender, flexible blades, coupled through the Actuator Line Method (ALM) and Geometrically Exact Beam Theory (GEBT). The accuracy of the model is validated by comparing it with established numerical methods, demonstrating its ability to capture the bending–torsional coupled nonlinear characteristics of highly flexible blades. A bidirectional fluid–structure coupling simulation of the IEA 15MW wind turbine under uniform flow conditions is conducted. The effect of blade nonlinear deformation on aeroelastic performance is compared with a linear model based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The study finds that nonlinear deformations reduce predicted angle of attack, decrease aerodynamic load distribution, and lead to a noticeable decline in both wind turbine performance and blade deflection. The effects on thrust and edgewise deformation are particularly significant. Additionally, nonlinear deformations weaken the tip vortex strength, slow the momentum exchange in the wake region, reduce turbulence intensity, and delay wake recovery. This study highlights the importance of considering blade nonlinear deformations in large-scale wind turbines.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/116wind turbineaeroelastic responsesfluid–structure interactionlarge-eddy simulationnonlinear beam |
| spellingShingle | Zhenju Chuang Lulin Xia Yan Qu Wenhua Li Jiawen Li Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine Journal of Marine Science and Engineering wind turbine aeroelastic responses fluid–structure interaction large-eddy simulation nonlinear beam |
| title | Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine |
| title_full | Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine |
| title_short | Investigation of Structural Nonlinearity Effects on the Aeroelastic and Wake Characteristics of a 15 MW Wind Turbine |
| title_sort | investigation of structural nonlinearity effects on the aeroelastic and wake characteristics of a 15 mw wind turbine |
| topic | wind turbine aeroelastic responses fluid–structure interaction large-eddy simulation nonlinear beam |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/116 |
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