Investigation of Aeroelastic Coupling Method for Swept Blade Based on Modification of Blade Element Momentum Theory

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.14.273

Abstract

Abstract: The bend-twist adaptive load reduction characteristics of swept blades have gradually become a research hotspot. However, efficient aeroelastic analysis methods for swept blades are still not fully developed. The differences in aerodynamic performance between swept and straight blades are derived based on lifting line theory, focusing on the azimuthal displacement of the trailed helical vorticity system and the induction of the curved bound vortex on itself. These differences were represented by the axial induction factor, which was then introduced into the blade element momentum(BEM) theory for modification. This led to the development of the modified aerodynamic model for swept blades, termed SweptBEM. Additionally, the key geometric parameters influencing the aerodynamic performance of swept blades were analyzed. A structural dynamics model of the blade was established using the geometrically exact beam(GEB) theory. When carrying out aeroelastic simulations, the accurate blade deformations are fed back into the aerodynamic model with sweep correction. The results indicate that the proposed SweptBEM model can accurately and efficiently characterizes the aerodynamic characteristics and aeroelastic behavior of swept blades. Moreover, the power of 10MW rotor with swept blade increases by +7% and the thrust increases by +2.2%. The aeroelastic model developed based on SweptBEM has practical significance for guiding the engineering application of swept blades.

Key words: wind turbine blade, aeroelasticity, blade element momentum, swept geometric configuration

CLC Number:

TK83

MA Xinwen, PENG Xianghua, SUN Jingwei, CHEN Yan. Investigation of Aeroelastic Coupling Method for Swept Blade Based on Modification of Blade Element Momentum Theory[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(14): 273-284.

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