Blade Loads Outputs at Aerodynamic Axes System

• The x-axis is perpendicular to the local aerodynamic chord line.
• The positive y-axis is aligned along the local aerodynamic chord line from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
• The z-axis is parallel to the local deflected neutral axis at each blade station and increases towards the blade tip.

For output loads, the origin of the axes is on the chord line at 25% chord from the leading edge at each local deflected blade station. In Figure 1 the \(y_r\)-component points towards the trailing edge of the airfoil. However, for anti-clockwise configurations the \(y_r\)-component points towards the leading edge as the airfoil is rotated. Thus the orientation of the aerodynamic axes does not change between clockwise and anti-clockwise rotors.

Figure 1: Blade aerodynamic axes coordinate system

Last updated 13-12-2024