Output details

3D damage characterisation and the role of voids in the fatigue of wind turbine blade materials

Significance of output:

Wind turbines need to operate for long periods without the need for frequent inspection, maintenance or replacement. To gain the power outputs/efficiencies required, larger and larger wind turbines are being manufactured. The main failure mode of the composite turbine blades is by fatigue which is dependent on defect (void) populations, which are less well controlled in larger composite structures. This work was sponsored by Vestas wind turbines and offered a first of its kind 3D assessment of the resultant void populations and the ability to relate this to the progression of fatigue damage (Tomas Vronsky e-mail: tvr@vestas.com)