Optimal Design of Wind Turbine Tower Model Using Reliability-Based Design Optimization

In this study, the NREL 5 MW wind turbine tower model was optimized according to the multi-body dynamics and reliability-based design. The mathematical model was defined as a link-joint system including dynamic characteristics derived from Timoshenko's beam theory. For the optimization problem, the sensitivities to variations in the tower thicknesses and inner and outer diameters were acquired and arranged in terms of safety and efficiency according to bending stress and buckling standards. An optimal design was calculated with the advanced first-order second moment method and used to define a finite element model for validation. The finite element model was simulated by static analysis. The relationship between the multi-body dynamic and finite element method throughout the process was investigated, and the optimal model, which had high endurance despite its low mass, was determined.