1. Supplemental Learning Module Forces & Equivalent Systems
COHERENT APPLICATION THREADS
CATs
Wind Turbines
Supplemental Learning Module
EK 301 MECHANICS 1
Wind Turbines
Forces & Equivalent Systems
Don Wroblewski
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Associate Chair, Aerospace Engineering
Undergraduate Program

2. Aerodynamic forces on blades
WIND TURBINE FORCES
Aerodynamic forces on blades
Torque
Aerodynamic forces in rotation direction generate useful power
Wind Direction
Thrust
Aerodynamic forces in wind direction can cause blades to bend in high winds (called coning)
Tower weight
Nacelle and blade weight
The nacelle, hub and blades can weigh as much as 200,000 lb
Aerodynamic forces on tower
Blades about 15,000 lbs each nacelle+hub+blades=200,000 lbs or about 100 tons tower 400,000 lbs or about 200 tons. Combined system weighs about the same as a 777 aircraft

3. WIND TURBINE FORCES DISTRIBUTED FORCES & EQUIVALENT SYSTEMS
Distributed Aerodynamic Forces
Equivalent Discrete Aerodynamic Forces V
(Wind speed)
Torque Forces FP FT y
Thrust forces x
Rotation