Structural Analysis of a Wind Turbine Blade Repurposed as an Electrical Transmission Pole

Alshannaq, Ammar A.; Bank, Lawrence C.; Scott, David W.; Gentry, T. Russell

doi:10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0001136

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Note that the proposed configuration has three conductors (i.e., single circuit); however, if six conductors are used (i.e., double circuit), symmetry and low bending forces result, and higher safety factors may be obtained. The current configuration and loads are different from what has been presented in Alshannaq et al [16] which was intended for 69 kV or 138 kV capacities. The current design is intended for a 230 kV capacity with greater distance between the poles.…”

Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Figure 2 shows a typical cross-section of the wind blade. The stations shown in the figure with their corresponding cross-sections, dimensions, and structural properties and analysis are presented elsewhere [15,16]. Steel davits are connected to the body of the BladePole with steel connector plates conforming to the blade's surface.…”

Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stress calculations were performed using a mechanics of materials approach that included orthotropic materials and irregular cross-sectional shapes [22,23]. For further details on the stress calculations, see Alshannaq et al [16]. Figure 4 shows the stresses resulting from the diagrams presented in Figure 3.…”

Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These poles have exceptional durability [13,14] and are expected to last longer than conventional steel, concrete, or timber poles. Based on the proven track record of existing FRP poles with wind turbine blades that are made using the same glass fiber reinforced composite materials, a new pole configuration has been proposed [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Decommissioned Wind Blade as a Second-Life Construction Material for a Transmission Pole

Alshannaq

Bank

Scott

et al. 2021

Construction Materials

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This paper demonstrates the concept of adaptive repurposing of a portion of a decommissioned Clipper C96 wind turbine blade as a pole in a power transmission line application. The current research program is aimed at creating a path towards sustainable repurposing of wind turbine blades after they are removed from service. The present work includes modelling and analysis of expected load cases as prescribed in ASCE 74 and NESC using simplified boundary conditions for tangent pole applications. Load cases involving extreme wind, concurrent ice and wind, extreme ice, differential ice, broken conductor, and broken shield have been analyzed and governing load cases for bending, shear, and torsion have been examined. Relative stiffnesses of different parts forming the wind blade’s cross section (i.e., shell, web, and spar cap) are determined. The corresponding stresses associated with each part under the governing loads are compared to allowable strength values which are determined from composite laminate theory and modelling of the known laminate structure of the E-Glass FRP material. Stresses and deflections obtained are compared with governing reliability-based design criteria and code requirements. The results of the structural analysis indicate that the wind blade can resist the expected loads with reasonable safety factors and that the expected deflections are within permissible limits. Recommendations are provided for detailing and modification of the wind blade for a power pole application in which crossarm and davit connections are highlighted, and foundation details are emphasized.

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Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bladepole Configuration Modelling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Decommissioned Wind Blade as a Second-Life Construction Material for a Transmission Pole

Alshannaq

Bank

Scott

et al. 2021

Construction Materials

Self Cite

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“…The network has been in operation since 2017 and has published conceptual repurposing design catalogs ( 1 , 2 ). Several of these concepts have been developed in greater detail: affordable housing ( 3 ), pedestrian bridges ( 4 ), and transmission power poles ( 5 ). The Re-Wind Network is currently designing and constructing two full-scale demonstration wind blade repurposing projects: a power pole prototype is being constructed in Kansas, in the United States, and a pedestrian bridge prototype was constructed in Cork, Ireland.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Material and Structural Characterization of a Wind Turbine Blade for Use as a Bridge Girder

Ruane

Zhang

Nagle

et al. 2022

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have been used in a variety of civil and infrastructure applications since the early1980s, including in wind turbine blades. The world is now confronting the problem of how to dispose of decommissioned blades in an environmentally sustainable manner. One proposed solution is to repurpose the blades for use in new structures. One promising repurposing application is in pedestrian and cycle bridges. This paper reports on the characterization of a 13.4-m long FRP wind blade manufactured by LM Windpower (Kolding, Demark) in 1994. Two blades of this type were used as girders for a pedestrian bridge on a greenway (walking and biking trail) in Cork, Ireland. The as-received geometric, material, and structural properties of the 27 year-old blade were obtained for use in the structural design of the bridge. The material tests included physical (volume fraction and laminate architecture) and mechanical (tension and compression) tests at multiple locations. Full-scale flexural testing of a 4-m long section of the blade between 7 and 11 m from the root of the blade was performed to determine the load-deflection behavior, ultimate capacity, strain history, and failure modes when loaded to failure. Key details of the testing and the results are provided. The results of the testing revealed that the FRP material is still in excellent condition and that the blade has the strength and stiffness in flexure to serve as a girder for the bridge constructed.

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Some challenges and opportunities around lifetime performance and durability of wind turbines

Pakrashi¹,

Ruane²,

Jaksic³

et al. 2023

Wind Energy Engineering

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Structural Analysis of a Wind Turbine Blade Repurposed as an Electrical Transmission Pole

Cited by 17 publications

References 12 publications

A Decommissioned Wind Blade as a Second-Life Construction Material for a Transmission Pole

A Decommissioned Wind Blade as a Second-Life Construction Material for a Transmission Pole

Material and Structural Characterization of a Wind Turbine Blade for Use as a Bridge Girder

Some challenges and opportunities around lifetime performance and durability of wind turbines

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