Structural Design of Medium Scale Composite Wind Turbine Blade

In this study, the 750kW medium scale composite blade for the horizontal axis wind turbine system was designed and manufactured, and it was tested and evaluated by the specific structural test rig. In the test, it was found that local bucklings at the trailing edge of the blade and excessive deflections at the blade tip were happened. In order to solve these problems, the design of blade structure was modified. After improving the design, the abrupt change of deflection at the blade tip was reduced by smooth variation of the spar thickness and the local buckling was removed by extending the web length. The modified design was analyzed by the FEM, the safety and stability of the blade structure. And Fatigue life over 20 years was confirmed by using S-N linear damage method, Spera's method, etc.