Structural Analysis of a Small Wind Turbine Blade Subjected to Gyroscopic Load

A study was conducted to investigate the structural response of a composite constructed small wind turbine blade subjected to gyroscopic load using finite element analysis. An Aerogenesis 5 kW small wind turbine blade was used as a case study. As part of this study, a high-fidelity finite element model of the 2.5 m long composite blade was built, and the accuracy of its predictions validated against experimental data. The blade model was loaded using a comprehensive method for applying gyroscopic load to finite element models of small-scale blades. The predicted results show gyroscopic loading causes the blade to deflect in both the flap-wise and lead-lag directions and induce reasonably high strains in the composite blade structure. The direction of the gyroscopic loading is a function of the direction of turbine yaw as well as the blade position as it rotates, therefore gyroscopic loading can both exacerbate and reduce the effects of aerodynamic loading acting on the blade.