This study focuses on the dynamic modelling and analysis of the wind turbine blades made of multiple layers of fibre reinforced composites and core materials. For this purpose, a novel three-dimensional analytical straight beam model for blades is formulated. This model assumes that the beam is made of functionally graded material (FGM) and has a variable and asymmetrical cross section. In this model, the blades are assumed to be thin, slender and long with a relatively straight axis. They have two main parts, namely the core and the shell. The so-called core consists of a lightweight isotropic foam material, which also adds significant damping to the system. The core material is covered by the shell, which is modelled using homogenous and orthotropic material assumptions as the structure is reinforced with continuous fibres. Therefore, the blades are modelled under a straight beam with varying cross-section assumptions, in which the effective elastic properties are acquired by homogenizing the cross section. The beam formulation for modelling the system is performed both analytically and numerically with the finite element method. The results of both methods are in well agreement. The maximum deviation between the results is found below 4%.

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This study analytically handles the three-dimensional free vibrations of spatial frames using the initial values method, considering the axial and shear deformations alongside rotary inertias, namely, torsional, in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending. To handle the spatial geometry, the direction cosine matrices are used. Validation is performed with three cases in total, one case available in the literature alongside two numerical examples that are solved analytically and compared to the finite element models. Excellent agreements are found between the analytical results and the results in the literature, as well as those obtained from the finite element models.