A parametric study on the hydrodynamics of tidal turbine blade deformation

The blades of axial-flow rotors, which are typically made flexible composite materials, can experience significant deformations through their operation. However, the impact these on rotor hydrodynamics is not well understood. Blade be separated into three main components: flapwise, a thrust-driven deformation in direction flow; edgewise, relatively small plane motion and driven by torque; twist that affect each blade’s angle attack distribution generated torsional moment acting about spanwise axis as structural interactions. This work evaluates hydrodynamic effects decoupled flapwise tidal turbine blade, using blade-resolved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with objective identifying quantifying associated flow phenomena. cases were scaling static shapes from model blade. dataset used this work, part larger research project, consists 48 Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes CFD steady-state simulations. It was found significant, adequately described blade element theory. Flapwise deformations, other hand, produce different phenomena affecting loading performance ways cannot explained sectional basis two mechanisms: pressure drop suction side generates inboard load augmentation, an increase near-tip radial moves onset tip-loss effects, shedding thrust power, further inboard. studied show integrated power (up to 20% drop), while remains limited, variations between -4% +2% coefficient observed depending bending.