A critical systematic review of aero-structural optimization in horizontal-axis wind turbine blades using an evidence–constraint–robustness framework

The rapid development of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) technology has increased the need for blade optimization methods that achieve aerodynamic improvement without sacrificing structural feasibility and operational reliability. This systematic review synthesizes 55 records retrieved from Scopus for the 2010–2025 evidence window. Because the corpus was derived from a single bibliographic database, the review is intended as a qualitative, Scopus-based synthesis rather than a claim of exhaustive coverage of the entire field. An Evidence–Constraint–Robustness (ECR) framework is used to interpret validation credibility, constraint integration, and representation of realistic operating conditions without collapsing heterogeneous outcomes into a single score. The synthesis indicates that conventional aerodynamic optimization is useful for early-stage exploration, whereas coupled aero-structural optimization becomes increasingly important when deformation, fatigue, stability, and manufacturing limitations constrain the design space. However, steady-state assumptions, incomplete constraint reporting, limited uncertainty treatment, and sparse experimental or field validation restrict strong claims of operational robustness. The review therefore provides condition-dependent decision guidance and identifies research needs in transient loading, controller interaction, fatigue, manufacturing constraints, uncertainty quantification, and validation.