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Static load and structural analysis of a small horizontal axis wind turbine blade: Experimental and theoretical studies using the fluid-structure interaction method

Author

Listed:
  • Nebiewa, Ahmed M.
  • Abdelsalam, Ali M.
  • Sakr, I.M.
  • El-Askary, W.A.
  • Abdalla, H.A.
  • Ibrahim, K.A.

Abstract

The accurate positioning of the turbine blades is required in certain situations, such as during maintenance inspections, strong winds, or when the blade yaw system or turbine assembly is malfunctioning both during operation and during inspections. This positioning helps to prevent the turbine blade from being damaged by extreme weather conditions or reduce the blade stresses during maintenance. The present study aims to investigate the static load and structural analysis through the use of computational fluid dynamics with finite element simulations. The computations are coupled using one-way fluid structure interaction and carried out using ANSYS application. The main considerations in evaluating turbine blade strength for withstanding severe wind loads and aerodynamic performance are blade deformation and associated stresses. This analysis considers ten different wind speeds with different pitch angles (blade orientations). To verify the simulation method, measurements are performed on a blade with an airfoil shape NREL S826 and manufactured of thermoplastic polyurethane to provide adequate displacement for static measurements. The present measured deformation results demonstrate a high degree of agreement with the computational results. Furthermore, four different materials are also numerically investigated: Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic, Epoxy-S-Glass and Swancor-2511A. The smallest deformation and Von Mises stresses value are obtained at a pitch angle of 88° for the tested wind speed ranges of 4–40 m/s, irrespective of the material. At a pitch angle of 0°, the four materials show an increase in deformation and Von-Mises stress variation. Also, a reduction of 97.6 % in deformation at 88° pitch is recorded, as compared to 0° pitch for wind speed 40 m/s irrespective of the materials utilized in the wind turbine blade. This makes the pitch angle of 88° suitable for the blade orientation in non-operation circumstances, such as in the case of strong winds or maintenance inspections. Although Epoxy-S-Glass has the lowest deformation and stresses, Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy of comparatively less price and achieves similar stresses.

Suggested Citation

  • Nebiewa, Ahmed M. & Abdelsalam, Ali M. & Sakr, I.M. & El-Askary, W.A. & Abdalla, H.A. & Ibrahim, K.A., 2026. "Static load and structural analysis of a small horizontal axis wind turbine blade: Experimental and theoretical studies using the fluid-structure interaction method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PF).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pf:s096014812502049x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124385
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    References listed on IDEAS

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