Simulation of aeroelastic behavior in a composite wind turbine blade

• Fluid–structure interaction analysis of an wind turbine blade is performed.
• Static and dynamic responses of the blade at the important wind speeds are determined.
• Effects of aeroelasticity on output power generation is investigated.
• Susceptibility of dynamic instability of the blade is discussed.

Aeroelastic analysis of a full scale composite wind turbine blade is investigated using its 3D model. Aerodynamic loading is determined using modified Blade Element Momentum theory and Computational Fluid Dynamics method is employed for verification. 3D finite element model of the blade is built and then Fluid–Structure Interaction iterative approach is constructed to investigate the aeroelastic behavior. Influence of deformation on power performance is determined implying on a reduction in output power. Susceptibility of dynamic instability is investigated and it is found out at high wind speed that the blade may experience instability.