Mechanical properties and damage analyses of fatigue loaded CFRP for tidal turbine applications

Parvez Alam, Dimitrios Mamalis, Colin Robert, Austin Lafferty, Conchur O Brádaigh

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Tidal turbine blades are routinely subjected to conditions of fatigue loading, which over time results in structural damage that negatively affects blade durability. Structural materials (such as fibre reinforced plastics, FRP) within a tidal turbine blade are therefore of considerable importance, and design parameters for such materials should be reviewed and optimised to decrease fatigue-related losses in strength and stiffness. Carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) are high strength and stiffness composites that are relatively lightweight compared to other FRP. Here, we characterise the mechanical performance of
uni-directional, laminated CFRP using both experimental and computational methods combined. The CFRP are unique as they use powder epoxy rather than standard prepreg or liquid infused. Fatigue damage evolution is detailed using finite element methods. The work provides insights to the engineering design of tidal turbine blades with an aim to improving blade durability.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 22 Aug 2017
EventProceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC) - Cork, Ireland
Duration: 27 Aug 201731 Aug 2017

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC)
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityCork
Period27/08/1731/08/17

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