Submitted:
12 January 2025
Posted:
14 January 2025
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Abstract
The present studies are specifically aimed at investigating the sensitivity of different dynamic stall models when exposed to various excitation frequencies. The investigations are targeted at the blade edgewise vibrations. This is done on a modified version of the IEA 15 MW reference wind turbine employing a wind turbine design tool Bladed. The state-of-the-art dynamic stall models for wind turbine applications such as the Oye model, Beddoes-Leishman (BL) model and the newly developed IAG model are evaluated. The beginning of the research work starts by evaluating different dynamic stall models on rigid blade section forces against known airfoil datasets. Then, the blade flexibility is considered to enable systematic evaluations of the blade flexibility influences in comparison to the rigid blade cases. It is observed that the range of the angle of attack grows depending on the excitation frequency and the adopted dynamic stall model. The critical excitation frequency range and the effects of twist distribution are then identified from the studies, which can be useful as a rough guidance when designing wind turbine blades.

Keywords:
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. Wind Turbine Design Code BLADED
2.2. Blade Specification and Airfoil Data Treatment
2.3. Description of the Test Cases
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Comparison of Dynamic Stall Model Against Pitching Airfoil Data
3.2. Dynamic Responses of the Aerodynamic Coefficients
3.2.1. Exposed to a Constant Reduced Frequency
3.2.2. Exposed to Edgewise Resonance Frequency



3.3. Angle of Attack Range Variations
3.3.1. Exposed to a constant reduced frequency
3.3.2. Exposed to Varying Frequencies
3.4. Twist Angle Distribution Influence
4. Conclusions and Outlook
- It is clear that dynamic stall model plays a strong role in the aeroelastic characteristics. The angle of attack range starts to grow away from the rigid blade case when the excitation frequency is between . It is observed that in between this range, the flapwise mode is one source of the excitation, though the strongest cause is related to the edgewise mode at = 0.5 and = 1.0. This can be used as a rough guidance when performing wind turbine design and running load cases especially in idling or parked conditions.
- The IAG model shows the best agreement with the pitching airfoil data, which represents the rigid conditions. Under the influence of blade flexibility, the IAG model is most sensitive to frequency excitation far from the edgewise resonance. However, when the excitation is close to the edgewise resonance frequency, the IAG model shows a higher aerodynamic damping which increases the blade stability. This explains the characteristics of this model in generating lower loads for the certain idling cases when self-excitation of the blades enhances the edgewise modes.
- The characteristics of the IAG model for different excitation frequencies are also dependent upon the impulsive contributions. A higher reduced frequency typically increases the impulsive terms.
- Twist distribution is crucial in determining the aeroelastic stability of the blade. Adding a twist distribution (assuming all structural properties the same) only slightly alters the blade modal frequencies, but affects the operating range of the angle of attack. A more holistic analysis in performing design load cases may be adopted by considering edgewise excitation or known critical instability cases where twist optimization can be performed.
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A. Modified Viterna 360 ∘ Extrapolation



Appendix B. Dynamic Polar Characteristics
Appendix B.1. Exposed to Constant Reduced Frequency



Appendix B.2. Exposed to Edgewise Resonance Frequency



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| No | Mode name | Modal frequency [Hz] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st flapwise mode | 0.508 |
| 2 | 1st edgewise mode | 0.687 |
| 3 | 2nd flapwise mode | 1.515 |
| 4 | 2nd edgewise mode | 2.059 |
| 5 | 3rd flapwise mode | 3.073 |
| 6 | 3rd edgewise mode | 4.035 |
| 7 | 1st torsional mode | 4.485 |
| No | Mode name | Modal frequency - zero twist [Hz] | Modal frequency - twisted [Hz] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st flapwise mode | 0.508 | 0.509 |
| 2 | 1st edgewise mode | 0.687 | 0.685 |
| 3 | 2nd flapwise mode | 1.515 | 1.516 |
| 4 | 2nd edgewise mode | 2.059 | 2.054 |
| 5 | 3rd flapwise mode | 3.073 | 3.078 |
| 6 | 3rd edgewise mode | 4.035 | 4.028 |
| 7 | 1st torsional mode | 4.485 | 4.489 |
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