Mapping of 1D Beam Loads to the 3D Wind Blade for Buckling Analysis

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of a consisten t methodology for mapping onedimensional distributed beam loads to a three-dimensional shell structure. The resultant force distribution is a linear approximation to the actual aerodynamic pressure distribution but is sufficient to obtain accurate strain and dis placement results. The purpose of the mapping technique is to apply more realistic wind l oads to the shell model of a wind turbine blade without the need to set up and run expensive computational fluid dynamics or fluid structure interaction problems. Subsequent buckling and stress analysis reveal how this approach compares to other simplified methods of defining the loads.