Structural repair of wind turbine blades: Computational model for the evaluation of the effect of adhesive properties

Abstract

Abstract Three‐dimensional (3‐D) finite element models of structural (scarf) repair of wind turbine blade, including the composite patch, adhesive, coating and parent composite structures is developed. Computational studies of the effect of the scarf angle, thickness of the adhesive layer and the availability of voids in the adhesive on the stress field in the repaired structure were carried out. It is observed that the soft adhesives lead to increased stresses in the parent laminate structures. The availability of voids in the adhesive leads to local stress concentration, and thus can reduce the postrepair reliability of the blades.

Keywords

• manufacturing defects
• materials
• repair
• wind energy
• wind turbines