Determination of cracks in wind turbine blades by simulating sensors through finite element studies

Abstract

The importance of wind energy is increasing due to its relative share in the global market. Especially in Argentina, projections are important, which not only concerns operation, but also maintenance tasks. These tasks can have a great impact on productivity if stop times are significantly prolonged. Based on several investigations carried out during two years, we continued with the study of a three-dimensional model of a wind turbine blade, using the finite element analysis technique, to determine the presence of cracks in the part by means of the analysis of deformations due to the wind forces to which it is subjected. The detections of the changes in the mechanical behavior of the blades will allow us to consider that they can be monitored in real time and determine if they present anomalies due to failures in their structure. In addition, it is intended as one of the purposes to deter mine the characteristics such as the shape of the crack which according to this can help the optimization and implementation of a maintenance plan.