An advanced structural trailing edge modelling method for wind turbine blades

This study demonstrates an advanced blade modelling approach based on a combination of shell and solid elements which can enhance the reliability of structural predictions for wind turbine blades. The advanced blade modelling approach is based on a shell element model where the adhesive bondline in the trailing edge region is discretised by means of solid brick elements which are connected via Multi-Point-Constraint to the shell elements. The new approach overcomes the drawbacks of pure shell element simulations and can reliably predict the response of wind turbine blade structures which are exposed to ultimate loads. The prediction accuracy of the numerical simulations was compared to a certification load case and a full-scale ultimate limit state test of a 34 m wind turbine rotor blade. The displacements, stresses and strains show reasonably good agreement and demonstrate the capabilities of the advanced blade modelling approach.