Initiation mechanism of transverse cracks in wind turbine blade trailing
edge
- Jinghua Wang,
- Leian Zhang,
- Xuemei Huang,
- Jinfeng Zhang,
- Chengwei Yuan
Abstract
Transverse crack often occurs in the trailing edge region of the blade
when it is subjected to excessive fatigue load in edgewise. In this
paper a refined model was established through local mesh refinement
methods in order to investigate the initiation mechanism of crack and
its extension in blade trailing edge. The material stress around the
crack in trailing edge region under different thicknesses is calculated
based on the fracture mechanics theory. Then the coupons test is
conducted to verify the simulation results. The factors affecting the
fatigue robustness of blade trailing edge are concluded by investigating
the results of finite element analysis and coupons test. In final, a
practical design scheme to prevent crack initiation is given for the
manufacture of wind turbine blade.