Analysis of Structural Responses of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine at Maximum Aerodynamic Performance

This numerical analysis investigates the interplay between fluid dynamics and structural mechanics within a horizontal axis wind turbine. Tip speeds ranging from 1 to 8.1 are explored, focusing on blade structural responses at maximum aerodynamic coefficient across Young's modulus values. Visual representations of absolute pressure and velocity magnitude highlight a significant velocity gradient at the minimum tip speed ratio, contrasting with the maximum aerodynamic coefficient case. Examination of relative wind speed vectors uncovers predicted flow separation near the blade's trailing edge at the minimum tip speed ratio. However, for the highest tip-speed ratio, airflow remains attached to the blade across all radial positions. Radial deformation patterns show increasing blade deformation from centre to tip, diminishing with higher Young's modulus. Von Mises stress analysis identifies maximum values at the blade-hub junction and midpoint of the blades, decreasing with increasing Young's modulus values. Blade tip deflection variation over time reveals initial oscillations followed by stability, with decreasing blade tip deflection values as Young's modulus values increase. A comparison between One-way and Two-way Fluid Structure Interaction simulations indicates higher blade tip deflection values in the Two-way simulations. with a maximum percentage difference of 8.21% observed at the minimum Young's modulus case (5×108 Pa).