Wind energy in India has grown intensively in the last decades. Wind turbines are subject to degradation and failure caused by rain and dust leading to a reduction in energy output. The blade degradation includes leading and trailing edge erosion, matrix cracks, delamination and structural damage.

The stress distribution on the coating due to the impact of raindrops is analyzed using a fluid-structure interaction capability in Abaqus. SPH (Smoothed particles hydrodynamics) and CEL (Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian) was used to model the water drop. A comparative study of the two methods were done. Finer features like voids on the coating were studied using the concept of submodelling. Repeated impacts of raindrops is analyzed using fatigue equations to predict the erosion in the blade, damage in the laminate, and life of the blade.

Interested in learning more? Check out the video below for more information.

RUM2021 RUM2021-India Abaqus CustomerPresentation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​