Compression behaviour study for glass fiberglass-reinforced plastics used in the construction of wind turbine blades

Abstract

Classical materials of whose manufacturing requires high energy consumption have begun to be replaced by composite materials, as a better alternative to energy and environmental problems caused by the production of the classic ones. The design of blades with a high efficiency that are resistant and having deformations within the allowable limits and a mass as small as possible is not a simple problem. Currently, the use of composite materials in the construction of blades is a perfect solution but determining the structure with optimal strength requires finding a compromise between the strength limits of materials and costs. In the assembly of a wind turbine, the critical component is the blade and thus the material for the construction of wind turbine blade (WTB) must have high rigidity, fatigue strength, low weight, and good wear resistance. This paper presents the results obtained at compression on the glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) composite, used in the construction of turbine blades. To increase service life and to investigate defects during operation, compression tests have been performed to determine the mechanical properties of [0°/90°] and [±45°] reinforced specimens in accordance with ASTM D3410.