Abstract
Abstract:
In this paper, both flap-wise and edge-wise natural frequencies of vibration of a variable blade length wind turbine are calculated. A stepped beam with two portions has been used to approximate the blade. The two portions of the blade have been approximated by a hollow beam and a solid beam with rectangular cross section. As the outboard portion of the blade can be slid in and out of the inboard portion, ten different configurations of the stepped beam have been investigated. A MATLAB program has been developed for a finite element analysis of a one dimensional model of the stepped beam. Subsequently a three dimensional model of the stepped beam has been developed in the finite element program Unigraphics NX4. The results found using the MATLAB program have been compared with those found with NX4 and satisfactory agreement between these results has been found. Additionally, the influence of varying the blade length on the natural frequencies has been investigated.