Abstract
This paper outlines a facility and general methodology for high-fidelity experimental characterization of complex composite substructures subjected to complex multiaxial loading conditions. The load response and failure behaviour of 'grid-scored' sandwich panels used in wind turbine blades have been investigated. A full-scale structural experimental and numerical characterization of a composite wind turbine blade has been conducted. The development of a full-scale numerical model is detailed, and the necessary experimental setup is described. Further, the numerical and experimental results obtained are compared, and an idealised set of boundary conditions for a chosen blade substructure is presented. From this, the development of a test rig suitable for representing the established loading and boundary conditions is presented, and selected experimental results are discussed. Moreover, simple failure criteria for the prediction of the onset of failure of the grid-score sandwich core have been proposed based on the experimental findings. Finally, a generic methodology for high-fidelity testing of composite substructures subjected to realistic multiaxial loading conditions has been proposed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 16th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2014 |
Publisher | European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM |
Publication date | 2014 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-000000000-2 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Event | 16th European Conference on Composite Materials - Sevilla, Spain Duration: 22 Jun 2014 → 26 Jun 2014 |
Conference
Conference | 16th European Conference on Composite Materials |
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Country/Territory | Spain |
City | Sevilla |
Period | 22/06/2014 → 26/06/2014 |
Keywords
- Composite substructures
- Failure
- Finite element analysis
- Multiaxial loading
- Smart testing