Fluid-structure interaction and life prediction of small-scale damaged horizontal axis wind turbine blades

Throughout their operational lifespan and exposure to various environmental conditions, wind turbines experience diverse loading scenarios that could lead to blade cracking, affecting their structural integrity. This research focuses on analyzing the blade lifespan of two small-scale wind turbines, namely Air Silent X and Pikasola. The investigation introduces deliberate irregularities like holes, erosion, and cracks to examine their effects on blade durability. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are used to assess aerodynamic loads, deflection, and stress levels on the blades under different wind speeds. Leveraging the fracture analysis tool within ANSYS, the study predicts blade lifespan in terms of cycles. The findings revealed that anomalies located near high-stress regions tend to reduce the lifespan of blades compared to those positioned in lower-stress areas.