A parametric study of skin laminates used in the composite layup of large-scale wind turbine blades

To reach an optimal design solution for the composite layup of large-scale wind turbine blades, subjected to various design load conditions, while, fulfilling numerous design requirements, is a challenging task to accomplish. Since, a large-scale blade is a slender beam structure, therefore, its thin composite layup can be assumed to be under plane stress condition. Consequently, a parametric study of the skin laminates used in the blade composite layup, is conducted to explore and identify the possible design improvements. The results show that the use of off-axis fiber angles of the skin laminate lower than the conventional 45 degrees are more favorable to achieve higher laminate stiffness, strength, bucking stability, fatigue resistance, and bend-twist coupling value, thereby, demonstrating the potential improvements to the existing composite layup design of large-scale wind turbine blade.