INVESTIGATION OF TENSILE FAILURE MECHANISM IN WRINKLE DEFECTS OF LARGE WIND TURBINE BLADES

Xie Lilai; Yang Xiaohui; Yin Duoyin; Hu Congliang; Liu Jin; Zhang Yu

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0634

PDF(6407 KB)

Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4) : 438-447. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0634

INVESTIGATION OF TENSILE FAILURE MECHANISM IN WRINKLE DEFECTS OF LARGE WIND TURBINE BLADES

Xie Lilai¹, Yang Xiaohui¹, Yin Duoyin², Hu Congliang¹, Liu Jin¹, Zhang Yu¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

This paper systematically studies the effect of wrinkle defects—commonly formed during the manufacturing of large wind turbine blades—on the tensile failure behavior of composite laminates. Through theoretical analysis, finite element simulation, and experimental tests, the stress distribution and failure modes of unidirectional and biaxial laminates under different wrinkle angles are investigated. Results indicate that out-of-plane wrinkles lead to local fiber deflection, increase interlaminar stress, and cause interlaminar failure. The residual strength is mainly governed by the interlaminar properties of the composite. Due to the limitation of interlaminar performance, wrinkles have a more noticeable effect on the tensile strength of unidirectional laminates. Therefore, in the structural design of blades, the influence of wrinkles should be considered, and different wrinkle tolerance criteria should be established for different types of laminates. The comparison between theoretical and experimental results shows that the errors meet engineering requirements. In particular, for laminates with a large wrinkle angle （θ=50°）, the error in tensile strength is only 3.07%, confirming that the proposed method is applicable in engineering practice.

Key words

Wind turbine blades / wrinkle / numerical analysis / interlaminar failure / strength theories / tensile strength

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Xie Lilai, Yang Xiaohui, Yin Duoyin, Hu Congliang, Liu Jin, Zhang Yu. INVESTIGATION OF TENSILE FAILURE MECHANISM IN WRINKLE DEFECTS OF LARGE WIND TURBINE BLADES[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(4): 438-447 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0634

References

[1] 郭志辉, 李慧, 王珑, 等. 拉伸及弯曲载荷作用下风电叶片主梁面外褶皱缺陷的失效预测研究[J]. 太阳能学报, 2024, 45(9): 586-594.
GUO Z H, LI H, WANG L, et al.Failure prediction of out-of-plane wrinkle on tensile and flexural properties of wind turbine blade spar cap[J]. Acta energiae solaris sinica, 2024, 45(9): 586-594.
[2] 叶凡硕. 风电叶片复合材料超声检测图像辅助分析系统设计[D]. 杭州: 杭州电子科技大学, 2024.
YE F S.Design of image aided analysis system for ultrasonic detection of wind power blade composite materials[D]. Hangzhou: Hangzhou Dianzi University, 2024.
[3] 王瑜, 董明知, 朱从雷, 等. 在役风电叶片重大缺陷维修全过程质量控制[J]. 风能, 2022(3): 66-71.
WANG Y, DONG M Z, ZHU C L, et al.Quality control of in-service wind turbine blade repair for major defects throughout the entire process[J]. Wind energy, 2022(3): 66-71.
[4] 王新. 风电叶片典型缺陷的性能评估与模式识别[D]. 湘潭: 湘潭大学, 2019.
WANG X.Performance evaluation and pattern recognition of typical defects of wind turbine blades[D]. Xiangtan: Xiangtan University, 2019.
[5] 傅程, 朱雷, 穆丹. 风电叶片典型失效案例分析[C]//第七届中国风电后市场交流合作大会论文集. 无锡, 2020: 30-34.
FU C, ZHU L, MU D.Analysis of typical failure cases of wind turbine blades[C]//Paper Collection of the 7th China Wind Power After-market Exchange and Cooperation Conference. Wuxi, 2020: 30-34.
[6] THOR M, SAUSE M G R, HINTERHÖLZL R M. Mechanisms of origin and classification of out-of-plane fiber waviness in composite materials: a review[J]. Journal of composites science, 2020, 4(3): 130.
[7] TSAI C H, ZHANG C, JACK D A, et al.The effect of inclusion waviness and waviness distribution on elastic properties of fiber-reinforced composites[J]. Composites part B: engineering, 2011, 42(1): 62-70.
[8] VELMURUGAN R, SRINIVASULU G, JAYASANKAR S.Influence of fiber waviness on the effective properties of discontinuous fiber reinforced composites[J]. Computational materials science, 2014, 91: 339-349.
[9] 陆媚, 胡祎乐, 余音. 复合材料双波纹面外褶皱缺陷细观力学分析方法[J]. 复合材料学报, 2023, 40(2): 1129-1141.
LU M, HU Y L, YU Y.Micro-mechanics analytical method for composite out-of-plane wrinkle with double fiber-waviness[J]. Acta materiae compositae sinica, 2023, 40(2): 1129-1141.
[10] THOR M, MANDEL U, NAGLER M, et al.Numerical and experimental investigation of out-of-plane fiber waviness on the mechanical properties of composite materials[J]. International journal of material forming, 2021, 14(1): 19-37.
[11] BOISSE P, COLMARS J, HAMILA N, et al.Bending and wrinkling of composite fiber preforms and prepregs: a review and new developments in the draping simulations[J]. Composites part B: engineering, 2018, 141: 234-249.
[12] 凌圣博, 姚启, 王乐蓬, 等. 褶皱缺陷对复合材料拉伸性能的影响规律: 试验及数值模型[J]. 力学学报, 2024, 56(6): 1740-1751.
LING S B, YAO Q, WANG L P, et al.Influence of wrinkle on the tensile properties of composite laminates: experiments and numerical model[J]. Chinese journal of theoretical and applied mechanics, 2024, 56(6): 1740-1751.
[13] 郑亦媚, 程吉, 王轩, 等. 褶皱层数对玻璃纤维层合板拉伸性能的影响[J]. 兵器材料科学与工程, 2021, 44(1): 104-110.
ZHENG Y M, CHENG J, WANG X, et al.Effect of different wrinkled layers on tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced laminates[J]. Ordnance material science and engineering, 2021, 44(1): 104-110.
[14] 钱若力, 穆晓光, 王轩, 等. 含褶皱缺陷玻璃纤维增强复合材料层合板拉伸渐进失效分析[J]. 复合材料科学与工程, 2020(7): 13-19, 52.
QIAN R L, MU X G, WANG X, et al.Progressive failure analysis of tensile strength of glass fiber reinforced composite laminates with wrinkle defects[J]. Composites science and engineering, 2020(7): 13-19, 52.
[15] 叶梯, 曾昭炜, 马铭泽. 褶皱对碳纤维复合材料层合板压缩性能的影响[J]. 宇航材料工艺, 2022, 52(5): 48-53.
YE T, ZENG Z W, MA M Z.Effect of wrinkle on compression properties of carbon fiber composite laminates[J]. Aerospace materials & technology, 2022, 52(5): 48-53.
[16] 樊维超, 仇翯辰, 方亚宁, 等. 大型民机复合材料翼梁R区褶皱力学性能研究[J]. 高科技纤维与应用, 2024, 49(3): 24-26.
FAN W C, QIU H C, FANG Y N, et al.Study on mechanical properties of radius of aircraft composite spar[J]. Hi-tech fiber and application, 2024, 49(3): 24-26.
[17] 马利, 文安戈, 申川川, 等. 纤维增强树脂复合材料中的褶皱缺陷: 微应力无损检测[J]. 复合材料学报, 2022, 39(7): 3590-3602.
MA L, WEN A G, SHEN C C, et al.Wrinkles in fiber-reinforced resin composites: micro-stress non-destructive testing[J]. Acta materiae compositae sinica, 2022, 39(7): 3590-3602.
[18] 张婷, 黄爱华, 李向前. 褶皱缺陷的检测及对力学性能的影响研究[J]. 航空制造技术, 2021, 61(8): 78-83.
ZHANG T, HUANG A H, LI X Q.Research on wrinkle defects inspection and influence of wrinkle defects on mechanical properties[J]. Aeronautical manufacturing technology, 2021, 61(8): 78-83.
[19] 苏小虎, 樊祥希, 何成智. 含褶皱复合材料层合板的拉伸性能[C]//风能产业. 北京, 2018: 114-117.
SU X H, FAN X X, HE C Z.Tensile properties of composite laminated plates with wrinkles[C]//Wind Energy Industry. Beijing, 2018: 114-117.
[20] 刘佳, 潘利剑, 岳广全, 等. 面内纤维褶皱对碳纤维复合材料拉伸力学性能的影响[J]. 上海纺织科技, 2021, 49(10): 5-8.
LIU J, PAN L J, YUE G Q, et al.Influence of in-plane fiber fold on tensile mechanical properties of carbon composites[J]. Shanghai textile science & technology, 2021, 49(10): 5-8.
[21] 沈观林, 胡更开. 复合材料力学[M]. 北京: 清华大学出版社, 2006.
SHEN G L, HU G K.Mechanics of composite materials[M]. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press, 2006.
[22] 聂瑞, 宁志华, 严炼锟, 等. 纤维褶皱对复合材料层合板压缩失效的影响效应[J]. 复合材料学报, 2025, 42(7): 4150-4172.
NIE R, NING Z H, YAN L K, et al.Analysis of the effect of fibre wrinkle on compressive failure in composite laminates[J]. Acta materiae compositae sinica, 2025, 42(7): 4150-4172.
[23] 孙宁, 周勃, 郑皓成, 等. 基于GSA的风电叶片主梁初始损伤的敏感因素分析[J]. 太阳能学报, 2024, 45(4): 181-189.
SUN N, ZHOU B, ZHENG H C, et al.Sensitivity factor analysis on initial damage of wind turbine blade spar based on gsa[J]. Acta energiae solaris sinica, 2024, 45(4): 181-189.
[24] JENSEN F M.Ultimate strength of a large wind turbine blade[D]. Copenhagen: Technical University of Denmark, 2008.
[25] ISO 527-5:2021, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties—Part 5: Test conditions for unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastic composites[S].