A procedure based on MATLAB combined with ANSYS is presented and utilized for the aerodynamic and structural integrated optimization design of Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) blades. Three modules are used for this purpose: an aerodynamic analysis module using the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory, a structural analysis module employing the Finite Element Method (FEM) and a multi-objective optimization module utilizing the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm. The former two provide a sufficiently accurate solution of the aerodynamic and structural performances of the blade; the latter handles the design variables of the optimization problem, namely, the main geometrical shape and structural parameters of the blade, and promotes function optimization. The scope of the procedure is to achieve the best trade-off performances between the maximum Annual Energy Production (AEP) and the minimum blade mass under various design requirements. To prove the efficiency and reliability of the procedure, a commercial 1.5 megawatt (MW) HAWT blade is used as a case study. Compared with the original scheme, the optimization results show great improvements for the overall performance of the blade.

This paper presents an optimization method for the structural design of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) blades based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) combined with the finite element method (FEM). The main goal is to create an optimization tool and to demonstrate the potential improvements that could be brought to the structural design of HAWT blades. A multi-criteria constrained optimization design model pursued with respect to minimum mass of the blade is developed. The number and the location of layers in the spar cap and the positions of the shear webs are employed as the design variables, while the strain limit, blade/tower clearance limit and vibration limit are taken into account as the constraint conditions. The optimization of the design of a commercial 1.5 MW HAWT blade is carried out by combining the above method and design model under ultimate (extreme) flap-wise load conditions. The optimization results are described and compared with the original design. It shows that the method used in this study is efficient and produces improved designs.

A procedure based on MATLAB combined with ANSYS is presented and utilized for the multi-objective aerodynamic and structural optimization of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) blades. In order to minimize the cost of energy (COE) and improve the overall performance of the blades, materials of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) combined with glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) are applied. The maximum annual energy production (AEP), the minimum blade mass and the minimum blade cost are taken as three objectives. Main aerodynamic and structural characteristics of the blades are employed as design variables. Various design requirements including strain, deflection, vibration and buckling limits are taken into account as constraints. To evaluate the aerodynamic performances and the structural behaviors, the blade element momentum (BEM) theory and the finite element method (FEM) are applied in the procedure. Moreover, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) II, which constitutes the core of the procedure, is adapted for the multi-objective optimization of the blades. To prove the efficiency and reliability of the procedure, a commercial 1.5 MW HAWT blade is used as a case study, and a set of trade-off solutions is obtained. Compared with the original scheme, the optimization results show great improvements for the overall performance of the blade.

An experimental study on the shear strength development of cement‐sand‐gravel (CSG) material was carried out using triaxial compression tests. The effects of the cementing agent content, aggregate content, and gradation on the shear strength of CSG material were analyzed. The shear strength remarkably increased with increasing cementing agent content and aggregate content for a given confining pressure. The increase in shear strength with increasing cementing agent content far exceeded that with increasing aggregate content. However, the stress‐strain curves and shear strength changed only slightly when the aggregate gradation for CSG material was adjusted. Based on the test data, a strength criterion for CSG material is proposed as a function of the cementing agent content, aggregate content, and shear strength of the aggregate gradation.

Considering requirements such as enhanced unit capacity, the geometric size of wind turbine blades has been increasing; this, in turn, results in a rapid increase in manufacturing costs. To this end, in this paper, we examine the aerodynamics of co-planar multi-rotor wind turbines to achieve higher unit capacity at a lower blade length. The multiple wind rotors are in the same plane with no overlaps. The ALM-LES method is used to investigate the interaction effect of the blade tip vortices, by revealing the regulation of aerodynamic performance and flow field characteristics of the multi-rotor wind turbines. The simulated results suggest an observable reduction in the blade tip vortices generated by blades located closely together, due to the breaking and absorption of the blade tip vortices by the two rotors. This results in increased aerodynamic performance and loads on the multi-rotor wind turbine. The influence between the blade tip vortex is mainly located in the range of 0.2 R from the blade tip, with this range leading to a significant increase in the lift coefficient. Thus, when the wind rotor spacing is 0.2 R, the interaction between the blade tip vortices is low.