Ocean Engineering
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/oceaneng
Design and analysis of a straight bladed vertical axis wind turbine blade
using analytical and numerical techniques
M. Saqib Hameed a,n, S. Kamran Afaq b
a
b
a r t i c l e i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history:
Received 19 November 2011
Accepted 13 September 2012
Available online 6 November 2012
Wind as a source of energy is being used from very long time. It has gained more signicance in the
current age of energy crisis. Lots of efforts have been made to develop the horizontal axis wind turbines
but vertical axis wind turbines did not get much attention over the past couple of decades. Blade is the
most important component of a wind turbine which controls the performance of a wind turbine and
design of other components attached to it. A concept for the design of a straight symmetrical blade for a
small scale vertical axis wind turbine using beam theories for analytical modeling and a commercial
software ANSYS 11.0 for numerical modeling is presented in current research. Design parameters of the
blade like solidity, aspect ratio, pressure coefcient etc are determined aiming the 1 kW power output
and the blade design was analyzed at extreme wind conditions where maximum values of deection
and bending stresses were determined at peak values of aerodynamic and centrifugal forces. The design
was optimized to attain the structural strength i.e. reduction in deections and bending stresses. This
blade design has high strength and lower material consumption to achieve the low cost of complete
rotor assembly of the wind turbine which actually covers more than 50% of the overall wind
turbine cost.
& 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
VAWT
Centrifugal forces
Wall thickness
Darrieus
H-rotor
Blade design
1. Introduction
The attempts have been made to explore and analyze the
aerodynamic models utilized for the high performance and strong
design of straight bladed darrieus VAWTs. The major advantage of
VAWTs is that it can be used at any location and it is a standalone
system where you can place the generator at the ground level
(Islam et al., 2008b) The principle advantages of VAWTs are that
they accept the wind from any direction without yawing. Straight,
untwisted and uniform section blades of VAWTs are easy to
fabricate and give the performance which is comparable with
HAWT, with almost 40% extraction of wind energy (Habtamu and
Yingxue, 2011). The long blades of darrieus vertical axis wind
turbine with high aspect ratios subjected to a large value of
bending moments due to centrifugal forces which may result into
the failure of the blades (Kragten, 2004). Even the small scale
vertical axis wind turbine is potentially dangerous because when
it is allowed to spin freely it accelerates rapidly due to the
absence of stall; it creates explosive centrifugal forces within
few moments, so as the aerodynamics forces over the blade
n
2. Design parameters
In this section a complete methodology for the selection of
blade geometry, proles and dimensions are described when
designing it for required power output.
2.1. Design velocity, V
The designed wind velocity is chosen as 8 m/s which is an
average wind speed in areas where this wind turbine will be
operational.
2.2. No. of blades, n
The torque ripple can be reduced for the case of darrieus rotor
by taking three or more number of blades. For small scale
domestic use vertical axis wind turbines normally contain three
blades which is an optimum number of blades.
2.3. Tip speed ratio, TSR
This is actually the ratio between rotational speed of the tip of
a blade and the actual velocity of the wind. Relationship for
calculating the TSR is given as
lmax
4p
4:1 TSR Rw=V
n
Blade area
ncD
nc
2
Rotor area
D
D
249
Span length
b
Chord length
c
S
p
a
Assumed
Square Box
p
a
n
Diameter
2.578m
Diameter
Fig. 1. Front view of darrieus VAWT design (left) with the front view of the
assumed 3D cube for design calculations to extract energy from any wind
direction.
250
1.5
0.10
1.0
0.08
0.5
0.06
0.0
0.04
-0.5
0.02
CL
CD
0.00
-1.0
-10
-5
0
5
10
Angle of Attack ()
15
-10
-5
0
5
10
Angle of Attack ()
15
Fig. 2. Comparison of lift and drag coefcients of NACA 0012, NACA 0015 and NACA 0018 at low angle of attacks (Proli, 19952009).
For darrieus type vertical axis wind turbines, NACA 00xx series
of symmetric airfoils are used and more specically NACA 0012
NACA 0015 and NACA 0018 are more frequently used.
When the lift and drag coefcients of these airfoils were
compared at low angle of attacks, Fig. 2, it was observed that a
low value of lift coefcient and high value of drag coefcient is
obtained for NACA 0018 whereas, a high value of lift coefcient
and lower value of drag coefcient for NACA 0012. This make
NACA 0012 most suitable from aerodynamic characteristics but at
the same time NACA 0012 is considered as too thin (12% of chord
length) for this design of high aspect ratio blades.
Therefore, NACA 0015 is chosen for this design considering its
thickness and aerodynamics performance.
Table 1
Variation in angle of attack with pitch angle.
Pitch angle y (Deg.)
y (Radians)
a (Radians)
a (Deg.)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
0
0.52
1.05
1.57
2.09
2.62
3.14
3.67
4.19
4.71
5.24
5.76
6.28
0
0.10
0.19
0.24
0.24
0.15
0.00
0.15
0.24
0.24
0.19
0.10
0.00
0
5.75
10.66
13.71
13.53
8.79
0.00
8.79
13.53
13.71
10.66
5.75
0.00
3. Analytical modeling
Numerical values of forces acting on the blade at extreme wind
conditions are determined and applied to the blade, maximum
deections and maximum bending stresses are calculated using
basic beam theories (American wood council).
Alpha vs Theta
20
15
10
5
0
-5 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
-10
-15
-20
3.1. Relation between angle of attack (a) and pitching angle (y)
The following equation was used to determine the values of
angle of attack with the variation in pitching angle (Anderson).
p tan1
siny
TSR cosy
Fig. 3. Plot of the variation in angle of attack (y-axis) with pitch angle (x-axis).
Table 2
Variation in coefcient of lift and coefcient of drag with pitch angle and angle of
attack.
Pitch angle y (Deg.)
a (Deg.)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
0
5.76
10.67
13.72
13.54
8.80
0.00
8.80
13.54
13.72
10.67
5.76
0.00
DESFOIL
Proli (19952009)
CL
CD
CL
CD
0
0.71
1.23
1.34
1.34
1.07
0.00
1.08
1.64
1.66
1.30
0.71
0.00
0.015
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.02
0
0.72
1.02
0.9
0.9
0.9
0
0.9
NA
NA
NA
0.75
0
0.02
0.02
0.036
0.079
0.07
0.03
0.02
0.03
NA
NA
NA
0.02
0.02
in current design.
251
Table 4
Variation in values of Lift and Drag with pitch angle and resolving each value along
and perpendicular to chord.
Rw
4:1
TSR
V
Therefore, the maximum velocity of blade tip in forward
direction is calculated as, 32.8 m/s.
3.4. Relative velocity, W
In the case of vertical axis wind turbine, it is not just the
simple wind velocity that basically produces the lift on the blade
but relative velocity viz. a vector solution of maximum blade tip
velocity Rw and wind velocity V, shown in Fig. 4.
The variation in b and g with a was determined and therefore
the value of W at different angles of attack was evaluated using
sine and cosine laws and shown in the Table 3.
V
Rw
Rw
sina
4 b sin1
sina
Sinb
V
g 180a b
(Deg.)
(Deg.)
Lift force
(N)
Drag force
(N)
Normal force
(N)
Axial force
(N)
0
30
60
75
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
0
5.75
10.66
12.49
13.71
13.53
8.79
0.00
8.79
13.53
13.71
10.66
5.75
0.00
0
372
660
695
681
687
579
0.49
364
393
389
395
276
0.96
6.66
9.29
13.64
16.13
17.15
17.06
11.85
6.66
7.46
8.07
8.00
7.81
6.88
6.66
0
371
651
681
664
670
572
0.49
361
384
380
388
276
0.96
6.66
27
109
134.45
145
144
77
6.68
47
83
84
64
21
6.7
1.29 m
Blade
3.5. Calculations for normal and axial forces
Rotational
Axis
1
rW 2
2
1.46 m
0.56 m
-Rw
Table 3
Variation in internal angles of the velocity triangle with variation in the value
of relative velocity with pitch angle.
Pitch angle
y (Deg.)
a (Radians)
b (Radians)
g (Radians)
Relative velocity
W (m/s)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
0
0.11
0.20
0.25
0.25
0.16
0.00
0.16
0.25
0.25
0.20
0.11
0.00
0
0.43
0.87
1.34
1.29
0.69
0.00
0.69
1.29
1.34
0.87
0.43
0.00
180
179.49
178.96
178.44
178.49
179.18
180.00
180.84
181.53
181.58
181.06
180.53
180
38.14
40.28
40.77
39.51
39.71
40.78
38.14
32.28
27.14
26.83
30.55
34.67
38.14
r
x
x2
x3
x4
z
t
x
0:2969
0:126
0:3516
0:2834
0:2834
c
0:2
c
c
c
c
c
252
dx
I
3
c
c
0
2mRw2
D
Table 5
Value of total force (aerodynamics centrifugal) acting on the blade at different
values of wall thickness of the blade.
Wall thickness
(mm)
A (10 3)
(m2)
Ixx (10 7)
(m4)
Mass
(kg)
Total force
(kN)
Solid
5
4
3
2
1
4.36
1.92
1.56
1.19
0.807
0.409
2.40
1.79
1.56
1.27
0.920
0.499
30.38
13.37
10.89
8.29
5.62
2.85
26.02
11.83
9.76
7.59
5.37
3.06
4. Numerical modeling
In this section of analysis, all the results from solid to 1 mm
wall thickness were computed by numerical analysis using ANSYS
11.0, under the same boundary conditions. The cross sections
of all the meshed models considered here for analysis are shown
in Fig. 6.
The mesh size control was done and convergence was
achieved. The current rened mesh shown in the research
approximates the solution to its best possible value with minimum error with the analytical values. Further renement of mesh
does not alter the nal results shown in numerical analysis.
4.1. Selection of element type
All the design cases were evaluated rst using SOLID45 and
then BEAM3 element type.
4.2. Boundary conditions and application of forces
For symmetric airfoils, the center of pressure and aerodynamics center lie at quarter chord (c/4) distance from leading
edge (Anderson; Komerath, 2007).
Table 6
Analytical calculations for the evaluation of maximum deection and maximum stress on the blade using basic beam theories.
Cantilever Region (0.56 m)
Wall thickness (mm)
Solid
5
4
3
2
1
Force (kN)
5.65
2.57
2.12
1.65
1.17
0.663
UDL (kN/m)
Mmax (kN m)
10.08
4.56
3.78
2.94
2.08
1.19
1.58
0.718
0.593
0.461
0.326
0.186
102
62.2
58.9
56.2
54.8
57.5
7.39
4.51
4.27
4.07
3.97
4.17
Force (kN)
UDL (kN/m)
Mmax (kN m)
Solid
5
4
3
2
1
14.72
6.70
5.53
4.30
3.04
1.73
10.08
4.59
3.78
2.94
2.08
1.16
1.79
0.82
0.67
0.52
0.37
0.21
116
70.5
66.8
63.6
62.1
65.2
7.12
4.34
4.11
3.92
3.83
4.01
253
Fig. 6. Cross Sections of designed models of the blade with different values of wall thickness.
Fig. 7. Application of forces normal and along the chord of the blade.
Fig. 8. Contour of stress distribution over the blade for a specic cross section of
the blade.
254
Table 7
Comparison of maximum stresses at different values of wall thickness and blade mass.
Wall thickness (mm) and mass of the
blade (kg)Left to Right
Solid
5
4
3
2
1
30.38
13.37
10.89
8.29
5.62
2.85
Solid45
Beam3
113
80.4
74.9
70.1
68.2
96.4
114
69.6
65.9
62.9
61.4
64.5
Table 8
Comparison of maximum deections different values of wall thickness and
blade mass.
Wall thickness (mm)
and mass of the blade
(Kg)Left to Right
Solid45 Beam3
Solid
5
4
3
2
1
30.38
13.37
10.89
8.29
5.62
2.85
7.947
5.123
4.864
4.703
4.689
5.603
7.386
4.504
4.264
4.075
3.978
4.178
7.39
4.51
4.27
4.07
3.97
4.17
Analytical
Beam3
Solid45
0.05
0.13
0.14
0.12
0.20
0.19
7.54
13.59
13.91
15.55
18.11
34.36
116
70.5
66.8
63.6
62.1
65.2
Solid45
1.72
1.28
1.35
1.10
1.13
1.07
2.59
14.04
12.13
10.22
9.82
47.85
Solid45
Beam3
Analytical
6
5
4
3
2
1
Solid45
140
0
Solid
Beam3
120
Analytical
5mm
4mm
3mm
2mm
1mm
Fig. 11. Graphical comparison of max. deections (mm) at different value of wall
thickness (x-axis).
100
6. Discussion on results
80
60
40
20
0
Solid
5mm
4mm
3mm
2mm
1mm
Fig. 10. Graphical comparison of max. stresses (MPa) at different value of wall
thickness (x-axis).
255
Fig. 12. Cross sections of blades designed for different values of wall thickness after application of extreme loads.
7. Conclusions
It has been seen that in darrieus type vertical axis wind turbine
the centrifugal forces play an important role. Bending stresses and
deections are not only a function of aerodynamics forces but also
very dominantly controlled by centrifugal forces. Wall thickness
of the blade can be optimized by reducing weight of the blade
but maximum stresses and maximum deection should be in
acceptable range.
Evaluation of their effect is not a simple task as reducing the
wall thickness of the blade reduces the weight and subsequently
the centrifugal forces but at the same time the cross sectional area
reduces too which reduces the strength of the blade. Therefore,
the distortion in the shape of the blade must be considered while
reducing the weight and centrifugal forces acting on the blade to
achieve the best optimized cross section design.
Acknowledgments
The research was done in the labs of HITEC University, Taxila
with the support of Department of Mechanical Engineering.
References
American Wood Council, American Forest and Paper Association. Beam design
formulas with shear and bending moment diagrams. 1111 19th St. NW, Suite
800, Washington, DC 20036, 202-463-4713, 2007.
Blackwell, Bennie F., Sheldahl, Robert E., Feltz, Louis V., 1977. Wind Tunnel
Performance Data for Darrieus Wind Turbine With NACA0012 Blades. Sandia
Laboratory Energy Report.