Model validation of the Sandia 34-Meter Test Bed Turbine using substructure modal-testing
The Sandia 34-Meter Test Bed Turbine is a vertical-axis wind turbine, thirty-four meters in diameter, designed to provide a test-bed for research in aerodynamics, structures and control. In order to design a large wind turbine, knowledge of the modal frequencies and mode shapes is essential for predicting structural response. During the design, analytical or finite element models are utilized for estimates of these modal parameters. However, when hardware becomes available, modal testing can be used to verify or update the models. The concept of substructure modal testing was developed for the Sandia 34-Meter Test Bed in order to more fully evaluate the accuracy of the finite element model. Instead of performing only one test on the entire turbine, separate tests and analyses were performed on major substructures of the turbine, including three separate blade sections, the tower supported by the guy cables, and the entire turbine. The results were then compared to analytical predictions from the finite element models of the substructures and the entire turbine. 8 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6629016
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-88-1774C; CONF-890102-11; ON: DE89004040
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Measured data for the Sandia 34-meter vertical axis wind turbine
Structural design of the Sandia 34-meter Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
Related Subjects
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
AERODYNAMICS
DATA
DESIGN
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FLUID MECHANICS
INFORMATION
MACHINERY
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL DATA
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TESTING
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VERTICAL AXIS TURBINES
WIND TURBINES