An Experimental Study on the Vibration Characteristics of the Rotor Blade with Fiber Reinforced Plastics Choong-Yul Son1, Jae-Kwon

Choi2
1

Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, In-ha University, Yong-Hyun Dong, Nam-gu, Incheon metro city, South Korea Tel : +82-32-860-7338 Fax: +82-32-864-5850 E-Mail : soncy@inha.ac.kr

Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, In-ha University, Yong-Hyun Dong, Nam-gu, Incheon metro city, South Korea Tel : +82-32-860-7338 Fax: +82-32-864-5850 E-Mail : jaekwon77@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT: With the current background of increasing oil price, a number of researches on development and supply of renewable energy are on process. Wind energy is one of them. Not only as energy itself, but also as travel resources, wind energy is ideal substitute for Korea equipped with appropriate conditions. The purpose of this paper is that investigates the dynamic behavior characteristic of W.T.S (Wind Turbine System) and carries out the evaluation analysis during operating W.T.S. To investigate the dynamic behavior characteristic of W.T.S, the experiments to measure vibration of the blade from the attached accelerometer on the flap and edge section of the blade that is one of the most important elements of dynamic characteristic of W.T.S are performed. Natural frequency and mode shape are calculated with commercial program (ANSYS) using the measured vibration acceleration that receives the signal with F.F.T Analyzer from the accelerometer. For validation of these experiments, the finite element analysis is performed with commercial F.E.M program (ANSYS) on the basis of the natural frequency and mode shape. The results indicate that experimental values have good agreements with the finite element analysis. Keyword: Rotor Blade, Fiber Reinforced Plastic(F.R.P.), Finite Element Method(F.E.M), Vibration measurement test, Vibration Characteristics, Beam analogy model analysis,

1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the research Because of unlimited resources, cleanness of energy and advantage of technical commonness, Wind Turbine System is one of the future oriented techniques as spotlighted alternative energy technique converting wind energy into electrical energy. Blade, which is one of the components converting wind energy into mechanical energy, is one of the kernel techniques in Wind Turbine System as 1st component converting the energy. Such blades are made of composite material, F.R.P. (Fiber Reinforced Plastics).

But the data for the examination assessment of blade which is made in domestic is shortage. Modal test which is one of the examination assessments is the method to analyze the dynamic characteristics of composite blades. Its purpose is to avoid the resonance which, finding the natural frequency of blade and forecasting the vibration phenomenon for mode shape. In case of domestic, study for Wind Turbine System has been preceded actively in some big corporation, small-medium enterprises and national researcher. But it was impossible to obtain systematic data. Today, the research field is very numerous unlike an advanced

country oversea. Therefore, it is necessary to study the Wind Turbine System as stated above. So, modal test has been already taken for blades. From now on, bending test of blades is scheduled to be taken.

blade was excited by exciter outputting constant signal, Frequency response function analyzed the vibration characteristics of blades using frequency analyzer (Fast Fourier Transform). Second, mode shape and natural frequency of blades were found together with the

1.2 Purpose of the research In this paper, to analyze the vibration characteristics of blade Blades which was made at Hwa-sin FRP company and is operating at Wolryung Wind Turbine exhibition complex in Jeju-Island is used to do modal test. The purpose of this research paper follows as : 1. Finding the natural frequency of blades by modal test 2. Finding the mode shape of blades by modal test 3. Finding the natural frequency of blades by FEM analysis 4. Finding the mode shape of blades by FEM analysis Comparing test result with FEM analysis 5. Analyzing the difference for test result and FEM analysis 6. Finding the result data

vibration characteristics of blades, using ANSYS. Finally, the dynamic behavior for blades was examined, comparing data of test with data of FEM analysis.

2.2 Test model

Blades used in this test are the blade of 10kW class W.T.S operating at Wolryung wind turbine exhibition complex in Jeju-Island. These blade are designed under responsibility of Prof. Son, department of mechanical engineering, INHA University and made at Hwa-sin FRP company. Blades used in the test have some raw material, layer arrangement, and material property. Two blades were measured to guarantee a equality of handed made. Basic dimension, material property and the others are described blew in detail. Table 1. material property of blade
Name of goods DBLT 1340 0/ -45/ 90/ -45 [Degree] 1333 [g/m2] 1.5mm

In this test, we measured the natural frequency of blade and analyze the mode shape, using Frequency analyzer(B&K), Type 2635 preamplifier, Type 2706 power amplifier, Type 4809 vibration exciter, Type 8200 force transducer, Type 4370 accelerometer, BNC cable, so on. In case of FEM analysis, ANSYS which is finite element analysis program is used to find the natural frequency and mode shape of blades. This result from FEM analysis is represented in this paper, comparing with the test result.

Arrangement Weight Thickness Material

E1 = 12.81 GPa , E2 = 10.45 GPa property Allowable stress Poisson ratio 195.00 MPa 0.43

2. Vibration measurement test 2.1 The work flow for research

The test to examine the dynamic behavior for blades was taken through following procedure. First, after Fig. 1 Rotor Blade Model

Table.2 Arrangement of raw material Upper Face 1st Ply = 0 2nd Ply = 90 3rd Ply = 45 4th Ply = -45 5th Ply = 0 6th Ply = 90 Lower Face 1st Ply = 0 2nd Ply = 90 3rd Ply = 45 4th Ply = -45 5th Ply = 0 6th Ply = 90
Fig. 3 Measurement Point & Exciter Location ( )

Table 3. Basic dimension of blade Item Rotor Speed (rpm) Material Blade Length (m) Root Chord Length (m) Tip Chord Length (m) Twist Angle (degree) Blade Weight (kg) Blade Area (m ) Blade Density (kg/m3)
2

dimension variable, 120170 Fiber Reinforced Plastic 3.4 0.34 0.06 15 38.2 2.4 1500
Fig. 4 Installed Vibration Test

2.4. Test result

We confirmed mode shape and natural frequency in the

2.3 Test setting and measurement

The test is composed test object part, exciter part for get the vibration, Signal detection and amplification part for measure the signal and Signal analysis part for analyzes the signal.
Accelerometer Pre Amplifier
Loadcell

vibration

test

for

blade,

receiving

the

signal

manipulated by Frequency Analyzer. The data analyzed by Frequency Analyzer is shown the following table. Table 4. Result of Vibration Test Peak Frequency (Hz) 1st Mode Shape 4.823 10.25 18.25 21 40 42.5 54 67.75 81.25

Excitation Structure

2nd Mode Shape 3rd Mode Shape 4th Mode Shape 5 th Mode Shape 6 th Mode Shape 7 th Mode Shape

F.F.T Analyzer

8 th Mode Shape 9 th Mode Shape

Fig. 2 Experimental Diagrams

Total 8 resonance points are shown as the result of frequency analysis. It is identified that the signal is particularly irregular at low frequency level.

Fig. 7 Calculating the deflection by self weight The deflection by self weight of blade is calculated 11cm. This deflection affect the dynamic characteristics Fig. 5 Exciter Location : 01 Measurement Location :01 Test Result when calculating theorical modal analysis therefore, it is estimated that P-stress may be considered. Under regarding blade as beam mode shape and natural frequency are calculated by using ANSYS and we consider P-stress by self weight above Before calculating. Mode shape of blade is calculated until 5th mode.

Fig. 6 Exciter Location : 01 Measurement Location :07 Test Result Fig. 8 1st Mode Shape

3. FEM analysis result

3.1 Beam analogy model analysis
We forecast the deflection, mode shape and natural frequency, regarding blade as cantilever beam which has constant thickness and height Calculating the deflection by self weight of blade. The deflection by self weight of blade was calculated by using ANSYS. The result of deflection follows as Fig. 9 3rd Mode Shape

3.2 3-D FEM Analysis

Blade was analyzed through 3-D modeling, using ANSYS. The material property of this blade is equal to that of blade regarded as beam above. Considering material property, we substitute material property which direction of arrangement is considered. Mode shape is shown from 1st mode to 5th mode.

4. Comparison/analysis between the test result and FEM analysis

Following table 5 shows the value of test and FEM analysis. Total nine peak frequency was measured in the span between 1Hz and 100Hz for the result from test. The resonance phenomenon shows more

frequently in low frequency level than in high frequency level due to the characteristics of blades and structural problem. Therefore, total five modes of low frequency level were set when we analyze with FEM.

Table 5. Result of Test and Analysis Vibration Test Beam analogy Mode (Hz) Fig. 10 Finite Elements and Mesh of the Blade 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 4.823 10.25 18.25 21 40 analysis (Hz) 5.896 11.769 37.151 73.317 105.317 (Hz) 3.113 5.767 15.30 27.87 36.237 3-D Analysis

Result of Test and Analysis

Vibration Test Beam analogy analysis 3- D Analysis

120 100

Fig. 11 1st Mode Shape

80 60 40 20 0 1 st 2 nd

Mode Shape

3 rd

4 th

5 th

Fig. 13 Result of Test and Analysis

Considering this result, it is confirmed that test result is similar to the result of 3-D FEM analysis in 1st mode, 3rd mode and 5th mode. But some errors were occurred Fig. 12 3rd Mode Shape a little in 2nd and 4th mode. The reason why some errors occurred follows as

The stiffness of blade fixture is similar to that of

5. M. C. Cheney., 1999, Analysis and Tests of Pultruded Blades for Wind Turbine Rotors, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 6. M.O.L. Hansen., 2000, Aerodynamics of

blade connecting hub. - When exciting the blade, it is estimated that the component of fixture affect the vibration characteristics.

Wind Turbines, JAMES & JAMES. Mode shape of the blade regarded as a beam was at one with mode shape through the 3-D modeling. As you know through the test data, it is clear that blades have the mode shape by bending and torsion. 7. R. Harrison., 2000, Large Wind Turbines, JOHN WILEY & SONS. LTD. 8. Ronald F. Gipson., 1994, Principle of Composite Material Mechanics, McGraw-Hill,Inc., p.1-61.

5. Conclusion
The analysis about dynamic characteristics of

component rotor blades for 10kW class W.T.S was taken in this research. Vibration mode analysis for corresponding natural frequency was taken through the vibration test and FEM analysis. It was also identified to accord between the test results of FEM analysis. The conclusion by the test result follows as

1. This paper established the vibration characteristics and analysis procedure of 10kW class W.T.S 2. The result about the dynamic characteristics of composite rotor blades for horizontal axis W.T.S in this research may be applied as development technique in the domestic wind turbine system.

7. Reference
1. David A. Spera., 1995, Wind Turbine Technology, ASME Press. 2. Germanisher Lloyd., 1999, Regulation for

the Certification of Wind Energy Conversion System . 3. IEC., 2000, Full-Scale Structural Testing of Rotor Blades for WTG. 4. Kenneth G. MCconnell., 1995, Vibration

Testing, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.