Reliability analysis of wind turbines under non‐Gaussian wind load

Abstract

Summary Based on translation models, both Gaussian and non‐Gaussian wind fields are generated using the harmony superposition method for examining the reliability of a typical wind turbine at operational and parked conditions. Using the blade aerodynamic model and multibody dynamics, wind turbine responses are calculated and then probability characteristics are analyzed in details. The short‐term extreme response distribution is estimated by the average conditional exceedance rate method at each mean wind speed bin, and the long‐term extreme response distribution is then determined by further integrating the short‐term extreme response distribution conditional on wind speed with the distribution of mean wind speed. Additionally, crack initiation life and crack propagation life are evaluated using the linear cumulative damage theory and linear crack propagation theory, respectively. The results indicate that non‐Gaussian characteristics of wind inflows have a noticeably greater influence on both extreme response and fatigue damage, and the Gaussian assumption cannot suit wind turbine in complex terrain.

Effects of finite sampling on fatigue damage estimation of wind turbine components: A statistical study

“…Therefore, we should investigate the assumption of the normal distribution of the expected damage based on how the number of required 10-minute realizations for CLT to hold for each load channel in the wind turbine. If the assumption of Gaussian wind and thus Gaussian narrow-band loads does not hold, the results and behaviors will be different (Marques and Benasciutti, 2020, 2021; Shuang and Song, 2018).…”

Effect of Welding Residual Stress on Along-Wind Fatigue Life of Welded Joints in Guyed Mast

“…Do et al [12] estimated fatigue life of wind turbine tower bases throughout Colorado and discussed the effects of wind distribution and turbulence intensity. Shuang and Song [13] investigated crack initiation and growth life of wind turbine blades by using the linear cumulative damage theory and linear crack propagation theory and found that non-Gaussian characteristics of wind inflows had a noticeable influence on both extreme response and fatigue damage. Since it is very difficult to estimate the residual stress distribution along the crack path, as pointed out by Colombi and Doliñski [14], in the previous research, the effect of welding residual stress on the fatigue life of welded joint welds was neglected.…”