Wind turbine simulation: Structural mechanics, FSI and computational steering

Abstract

A fluid-structure interaction (FSI) validation study of Micon 65/13M wind turbine with Sandia CX-100 composite blades is presented. KirchhoffLove shell theory is used for blade structures, while the aerodynamics formulation is performed using a moving-domain finite-element-based ALE-VMS technique. The structural mechanics formulation is validated through the eigenfrequency analysis of the CX-100 blade. For coupling between two domains a nonmatching discretization of the fluid-structure interface is adopted. This adds flexibility and relaxes the requirements placed on geometry modeling and meshing tools employed. The simulations are done at realistic wind conditions and rotor speeds. The rotor-tower interaction that influences the aerodynamic torque is captured. The computed aerodynamic torque generated by the Micon 65/13M wind turbine compares well with that obtained from on-land field tests. We conclude by illustrating the application of the Dynamic Data-Driven Applications System (DDDAS) to investigate the fiber waviness defects embedded in the CX-100 wind turbine blade.