About the Blades

This section provides descriptions of the various modelling options and definitions for simulating wind turbine blades. Bladed provides a versatile method of defining complex blade properties:

• The user can define a series of 2D blade sections along the neutral axes of the blade. At each section, a set of blade section coordinate systems are defined for structural and aerodynamic properties. This approach enables the possibility of defining aerofoil orientations and changing structural properties along the blade.
• An aerofoil library is provided, allowing for the definition of aerofoils that can be applied and interpolated at individual blade sections.
• Advanced flexibility options are available to accurately capture the non-linear nature of long and anisotropic blades. Options include a finite element model capable of modal reduction, a multi-part blade method for increased accuracy of large deflections and a geometric stiffness model to capture second-order effects.
• A suite of blade load outputs and kinematic outputs are provided in various blade coordinate systems.

Figure 1: Illustration of a typical wind turbine blade.

Last updated 13-12-2024