Wind tunnel measurements of the tower shadow on models of the ERDA/NASA 100-kW wind turbine tower

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7257565

Savino, J M; Wagner, L H

Detailed wind speed profile measurements were made in the wake of 1/25 scale and 1/48 scale tower models to determine the magnitude of the speed reduction (the tower shadow). The 1/25 scale tower modeled closely the actual wind turbine including the service stairway and the equipment elevator rails on one face. The 1/48 scale model was made of all tubular members. Measurements were made on the 1/25 scale model with and without the stairway and elevator rails, and on the 1/48 all tube model without stairs and rails. The test results show that the stairs and rails were a major source of wind flow blockage. The all tubular 1/48 scale tower was found to offer less resistance to the wind than the 1/25 scale model that contained a large number of square sections. Shadow photos are included to show the extent of the blockage offered to the wind from various directions.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7257565
• Report Number(s): N-77-13534; NASA-TM-X-73548; E-8984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
AERODYNAMICS
FLUID MECHANICS
MECHANICS
MOCKUP
STRUCTURAL MODELS
VELOCITY
WIND
WIND TURBINES