Finite Element Analysis of Tidal Turbine Blade Subjected to Impact Loads from Sea Animals

Ilias Gavriilidis and Yuner Huang
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Ilias Gavriilidis: School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FG, UK
Yuner Huang: School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FG, UK

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: The present work investigates structural response of tidal stream turbine blades subjected to impact loads from sea animals. A full-scale tidal turbine blade model was developed using a finite element modelling software ABAQUS, while a simplified geometry of an adult killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) was assumed in simulating impact on the blade. The foil profiles along the turbine blade were based on the NACA 63-8XX series, while the geometric and material properties of the sea animal were calibrated with experimental results. The numerical model simulated the dynamic response of the blade, accounting for radial velocities of the blade corresponding to real life scenarios. Different magnitudes and trajectories of the velocity vector of the sea animal were simulated, in order to investigate their influence on the turbine blade’s plastic deformation. Furthermore, multiple impacts were analysed, in order to monitor the accumulation of plastic strain in the material of the blade. Finally, the potential application of stainless steel material in tidal stream turbine blades for impact resistance was evaluated, through comparison of numerical results obtained from models using stainless steel and mild carbon steel materials.

Keywords: dynamic response; impact; killer whale; strain rate; tidal turbine blade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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