Load evaluation of horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor using coupled Beddoes near-wake model and free-wake method

Wind turbines operate mostly in yaw conditions that give rise to cyclic variations in aerodynamic forces applied on the blade. This induced load fluctuation is closely related to the upstream velocity field of the rotor and can be a significant source of fatigue and vibration. An accurate prediction of blade loading is considered the key in designing reliable and efficient wind turbines. The related calculation remains a complicated task to perform and requires enormous computing time. In this context, a numerical method is presented, aimed at evaluating the azimuthal fluctuation of the normal force. This method is obtained by coupling the Beddoes near-wake model and the free-wake method: the near-wake-induced velocities are calculated using Beddoes near-wake model with the far-wake contribution evaluated using the free-wake method. In addition, the unsteady effects on the aerodynamic coefficients are taken into account using the Beddoes-Leishman dynamic stall model. A computer code was developed, and numerical values were obtained in acceptable computational time. Results are compared with measurements performed in the NASA Ames wind tunnel. © 2013 Abdelfattah et al.