This paper presents the design and analysis for a spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The cap is formed of an integral, unitary 3D woven material having constant thickness; spar cap weight is varied and controlled by appropriately tapering the cap width from the blade root to tip. This analysis is employed for 24-m and 37-m rotor blades. These studies are conducted parametrically, examining a range of materials incorporating varying fractions of glass and carbon fibers, and hence exhibiting a range of structural properties and material costs. These parametric studies are used to determine the impact on blade weight and cost resulting from the various materials studied. Detailed results are presented in the form of tables to enable candidate materials to be evaluated as they are developed.
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November 2006
Research Papers
3D Woven Carbon/Glass Hybrid Spar Cap for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade
Mansour H. Mohamed,
Mansour H. Mohamed
3TEX, Inc.
, Cary, NC 27511
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Kyle K. Wetzel
Kyle K. Wetzel
Wetzel Engineering, Inc.
, Lawrence, KS 66046
Search for other works by this author on:
Mansour H. Mohamed
3TEX, Inc.
, Cary, NC 27511
Kyle K. Wetzel
Wetzel Engineering, Inc.
, Lawrence, KS 66046J. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 2006, 128(4): 562-573 (12 pages)
Published Online: August 3, 2006
Article history
Received:
April 10, 2006
Revised:
August 3, 2006
Citation
Mohamed, M. H., and Wetzel, K. K. (August 3, 2006). "3D Woven Carbon/Glass Hybrid Spar Cap for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 2006; 128(4): 562–573. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2349543
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