Structural collapse of a wind turbine blade. Part B: Progressive interlaminar failure models

The objective of this paper is to present a geometrical nonlinear and interlaminar progressive failure finite element analysis of a generic wind turbine blade undergoing a static flap-wise load and comparisons with experimental findings. It is found that the predictive numerical models show excellent correlation with the experimental findings and observations in the pre-instability response. Consequently, the ultimate strength of the wind turbine blade studied is governed by a delamination and buckling coupled phenomenon, which results in a chain of events and sudden structural collapse with compressive fibre failure in the delaminated flange material. Finally, a parametric study of the critical load factors with respect to various delamination sizes and positions inside the compressive flange of the wind turbine blade is presented.