Structural and Modal Analysis of a Small Wind Turbine Blade Considering Composite Material and the IEC 61400-2 Standard

Miriam Vázquez, Victor López (), Rafael Campos (), Erasmo Cadenas and Paulina Marin
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Miriam Vázquez: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58000, Mexico
Victor López: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58000, Mexico
Rafael Campos: Centro Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Cuernavaca 62490, Mexico
Erasmo Cadenas: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58000, Mexico
Paulina Marin: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58000, Mexico

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-27

Abstract: IEC 61400-2 establishes the Simplified Load Method for designing low-power wind turbine blades without considering dynamic loads in the simplified load methodology. This paper analyzes the load hypotheses established by the standard, also considering the natural frequencies in a 900 W blade. The research methodology begins with the design parameters, the application of the BEM Method, and the use of the QBlade software. Then, the load hypotheses of the standard are defined. Finally, the structural design and the modal and structural analysis of the blade were conducted using FEM-based software. The results show that the minimum participation factors are found on the z -axis and the maximum on the x - and y -axis, and their magnitudes decrease when the natural frequency increases. In general, the principal maximum stresses are located in the middle section of the blade, in the external fiberglass layer, both on the intrados and extrados sides. In conclusion, structural scenarios were established to relate the participation factors of the modal analyses with the load hypotheses. The critical scenarios are at natural frequencies below 280 Hz.

Keywords: wind turbine blade; finite element method; modal analysis; participation factor; IEC 61400-2 standard (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: 2025
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