Structural collapse of a wind turbine blade. Part B: Progressive interlaminar failure models

The objective of this paper is to present a geometrical nonlinear and interlaminar progressive failure finite element analysis of a generic wind turbine blade undergoing a static flap-wise load and comparisons with experimental findings. It is found that the predictive numerical models show excellent correlation with the experimental findings and observations in the pre-instability response. Consequently, the ultimate strength of the wind turbine blade studied is governed by a delamination and buckling coupled phenomenon, which results in a chain of events and sudden structural collapse with compressive fibre failure in the delaminated flange material. Finally, a parametric study of the critical load factors with respect to various delamination sizes and positions inside the compressive flange of the wind turbine blade is presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.