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Title: Application of the U.S. high cycle fatigue data base to wind turbine blade lifetime predictions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:146773
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT (United States)

This paper demonstrates a methodology for predicting the service lifetime of wind turbine blades using the high-cycle fatigue data base for typical U.S. blade materials developed by Mandell, et al. (1995). The first step in the analysis is to normalize the data base (composed primarily of data obtained from specialized, relatively small coupons) with fatigue data from typical industrial laminates to obtain a Goodman Diagram that is suitable for analyzing wind turbine blades. The LIFE2 fatigue analysis code for wind turbines is then used for the fatigue analysis of a typical turbine blade with a known load spectrum. In the analysis, a linear damage model, Miner`s Rule, is used to demonstrate the prediction of the service lifetime for a typical wind turbine blade under assumed operating strain ranges and stress concentration factors. In contrast to typical European data, the asymmetry in this data base predicts failures under typical loads to be compressive.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
146773
Report Number(s):
SAND-95-2483C; CONF-960114-6; ON: DE96002521; TRN: 95:008768
Resource Relation:
Conference: 15. wind energy symposium, Houston, TX (United States), 28 Jan - 2 Feb 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English