Critical design load case fatigue and ultimate failure simulation for a 10-m H-type vertical-axis wind turbine

Abstract

While previous studies investigating critical vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) design load cases have focused on large and relatively flexible Darrieus designs, the bulk of current commercial products seeking certification fall in the relatively small, stiff, H-type configuration. Understanding the critical design load case impacts for both fatigue and ultimate failure for this size and type of VAWT is imperative for certification and to help break the cycle of historical VAWT failures. A reevaluation of each of the design load cases specified in IEC 61400-1 using the Offshore Wind ENergy Simulator (OWENS) validated aero-servo-elastic software is conducted for both fatigue and ultimate failure contributions. Several design load cases previously thought negligible may have high enough fatigue damage rates for H-VAWTs to warrant more careful consideration; these cases include parked, extreme wind shear, and direction change with gust. Additionally, full operation stop-start-stop cycles, which historically have not been a part of the standards, may contribute fatigue damage similar to other normal design load cases. In light of these potentially critical conditions, and the sizes of many of the current H-VAWT designs falling in the IEC 61400-2 small wind turbine standard, the standard may need to be expanded to enable design success of certified H-VAWT systems.