Wind field simulation and wind‐induced responses of large wind turbine tower‐blade coupled structure

Abstract

SummaryHerein, by a case study on a 5‐MW wind turbine system developed by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the wind field simulation and wind‐induced vibration characteristics of wind turbine tower‐blade coupled systems is analyzed. First, the blade‐nacelle‐tower‐basis integrated finite element model with centrifugal forces induced by rotational blades is established. Then, based on a harmony superposition method and the modified blade element‐momentum theory, the fluctuating wind field of tower‐blade coupled systems is simulated, which considers wind shear effect, tower shadow effect, rotational effect, blade‐tower dynamic and model interaction effects. Finally, the wind‐induced dynamic responses and wind vibration coefficients of the wind turbine tower‐blade coupled structure are discussed through the ‘consistent coupled method’ previously proposed by us. The results indicate that the wind‐induced responses of a large wind turbine tower‐blade coupled structure present complicated modal responses and multimode coupling effect. Additionally, the rotational effect would amplify aerodynamic loads on blades with high frequency, wind‐induced dynamic responses and wind vibration coefficients of wind turbine tower. The centrifugal force effect could also amplify natural vibration frequency of the tower‐blade coupled system and reduce the wind‐induced dynamic responses and wind vibration coefficients of wind turbine tower. The research could contribute to wind‐resistant design of structure for a large‐scale wind turbine tower‐blade system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.