Adhesive Snap-Fit Joints for Modular Wind Turbine Blades: A Numerical Feasibility Study

Abstract

Larger rotor diameters are sought by wind turbine manufacturers as they favour cost-effective energy generation. However, manufacturing, transporting, and installing longer blades gets increasingly complicated, time-consuming, and costly. While a potential solution lies in spanwise segmentation, available modular blade technologies are still relatively immature, have drawbacks, and are yet to be used for blades exceeding 80 meters. A key challenge to blade segmentation is the addition of joints, which can result in both structural as well as aeroelastic penalties, when comparing segmented designs to their monolithic counterparts. To tackle these issues, in this study, we present the proof of concept and initial feasibility of an adhesively bonded snap-fit joint. The study assesses the joint’s load carrying capacity under quasi-static loading conditions at two levels: first, at the component level, focusing on the snap-fit elements, and second, at the system level, examining the integration of these components into the blade section. Under the specified assumptions, the results highlight the hybrid joint’s capability to withstand substantial loads of the order of magnitude required to meet operating requirements.