Dynamics and Structural Loading in Wind Turbines.pdfVIP

DYNAMICS AND STRUCTURAL LOADING IN WIND TURBINES © M. Ragheb 12/30/2008 INTRODUCTION The loading regimes to which wind turbines are subject to are extremely complex requiring special attention in their design, operation and maintenance. An understanding of the loadings on wind turbines and their origins, as well the turbines response to them is crucial to avoid their catastrophic failure. Fig. 1: Collapsed wind turbine in January 2007 in Germany. Source: AP. TYPES OF LOADS The types of loads a wind turbine is subject to during service can be ckassified as: STATIC LOADING This loading is constant in time and the resulting deflection of the structure is constant and proportional to its stiffness. CYCLIC LOADING Two types of cycling loadings present themselves. In quasi static cycling, the loading varies slowly enough whereas the deflection of the structure is proportional to the loading. In dynamic cycling the loading results in a deflection related to the damping forces of the structure, particularly when the load application frequency is close to the natural vibration frequency of the structure. STOCHASTIC LOADING This type of loading varies in a random manner. It results predominantly from wind turbulence and is relevant to the fatigue response of the wind turbine structure. AERODYNAMIC LOADING This is loading derived from the force of the wind. The rotor of a wind turbine converts the winds kinetic energy into useful mechanical work through aerodynamic effects. The basic underlying concept is the conservation of momentum. Most of the momentum exchange takes place in the wind flow direction, although the useful power is produced by forces in the rotor plane, which is perpendicular to the on