Structural performance of composite tidal turbine blades

Tidal turbine blades experience a significant bending moment in the root area during their long-term operation sea water environment. This necessitates using fibre reinforced polymer as blade material to provide required strength/stiffness. In this study, design methodology based on hydrodynamic and Finite Element models with view examine mechanical properties of composites was developed evaluate structural response two commercial scale (1.5 0.35 MW). Using output from model, stress analysis conducted order determine likelihood failure. To incorporate appropriate failure modes composite test coupons. The results show that experiences high values such resin cracking, fibre/matrix interfacial de-bonding, delamination breakage. It is also predicted glass require three times thicker laminates than carbon similar maintain same safety factor. Reasonable agreement between numerically experimentally determined strain fields small-scale indicates result valid.