This book concerns the development of novel finite elements for the structural analysis of composite beams and blades. The introduction of material damping is also an important aspect of composite structures and it is presented here in terms of their static and dynamic behavior. The book thoroughly presents a new shear beam finite element, which entails new blade section mechanics, capable of predicting structural blade coupling due to composite coupling and/or internal section geometry. Theoretical background is further expanded towards the inclusion of nonlinear structural blade models and damping mechanics for composite structures. The models effectively include geometrically nonlinear terms due to large displacements and rotations, improve the modeling accuracy of very large flexible blades, and enable the modeling of rotational stiffening and buckling, as well as, nonlinear structural coupling. Validation simulations on specimen level study the geometric nonlinearities effect on the modal frequencies and damping values of composite strips of various angle-ply laminations under either tensile or buckling loading. A series of correlation cases between numerical predictions and experimental measurements give credence to the developed nonlinear beam finite element models and underline the essential role of new nonlinear damping and stiffness terms.

This book provides a holistic, interdisciplinary overview of offshore wind energy, and is a must-read for advanced researchers. Topics, from the design and analysis of future turbines, to the decommissioning of wind farms, are covered. The scope of the work ranges from analytical, numerical and experimental advancements in structural and fluid mechanics, to novel developments in risk, safety & reliability engineering for offshore wind.The core objective of the current work is to make offshore wind energy more competitive, by improving the reliability, and operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies of wind turbines. The research was carried out under the auspices of the EU-funded project, MARE-WINT. The project provided a unique opportunity for a group of researchers to work closely together, undergo multidisciplinary doctoral training, and conduct research in the area of offshore wind energy generation. Contributions from expert, external authors are also included, and the complete work seeks to bridge the gap between research and a rapidly-evolving industry.

Wind energy is gaining critical ground in the area of renewable energy, with wind energy being predicted to provide up to 8% of the world's consumption of electricity by 2021. Advances in wind turbine blade design and materials reviews the design and functionality of wind turbine rotor blades as well as the requirements and challenges for composite materials used in both current and future designs of wind turbine blades.Part one outlines the challenges and developments in wind turbine blade design, including aerodynamic and aeroelastic design features, fatigue loads on wind turbine blades, and characteristics of wind turbine blade airfoils. Part two discusses the fatigue behavior of composite wind turbine blades, including the micromechanical modelling and fatigue life prediction of wind turbine blade composite materials, and the effects of resin and reinforcement variations on the fatigue resistance of wind turbine blades. The final part of the book describes advances in wind turbine blade materials, development and testing, including biobased composites, surface protection and coatings, structural performance testing and the design, manufacture and testing of small wind turbine blades.Advances in wind turbine blade design and materials offers a comprehensive review of the recent advances and challenges encountered in wind turbine blade materials and design, and will provide an invaluable reference for researchers and innovators in the field of wind energy production, including materials scientists and engineers, wind turbine blade manufacturers and maintenance technicians, scientists, researchers and academics. - Reviews the design and functionality of wind turbine rotor blades - Examines the requirements and challenges for composite materials used in both current and future designs of wind turbine blades - Provides an invaluable reference for researchers and innovators in the field of wind energy production

Renewable energies constitute excellent solutions to both the increase of energy consumption and environment problems. Among these energies, wind energy is very interesting. Wind energy is the subject of advanced research. In the development of wind turbine, the design of its different structures is very important. It will ensure: the robustness of the system, the energy efficiency, the optimal cost and the high reliability. The use of advanced control technology and new technology products allows bringing the wind energy conversion system in its optimal operating mode. Different strategies of control can be applied on generators, systems relating to blades, etc. in order to extract maximal power from the wind. The goal of this book is to present recent works on design, control and applications in wind energy conversion systems.

The book presents the select peer-reviewed proceedings of the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Design, Manufacturing, Materials and Thermal Sciences (ETDMMT 2020). The contents focus on latest research in product design, CAD/CAE/CFD, robotic systems, neural networks, thermal systems, alternative fuels, propulsion systems, environmental issues related to combustion, autonomous vehicles and alternative energy applications. In addition, the book also covers recent advances in automotive engineering and aerospace technologies. Given the range of contents covered, this book can be useful for students, researchers as well as practicing engineers.

Discusses the design and verification of composite materials and components. The blade is the basic and the most important component of wind turbine. Blade structure reliability is an important feature to ensure the safe operation of blades in a turbine. This book describes all aspects of blade structure design, including basic theories and design methods. It is invaluable for professionals, technical personnel, students and faculties.

This volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of FRP composites and structures, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the 10th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering (CICE), held in Istanbul, Turkey on December 8-10, 2021. It covers a diverse range of topics such as All FRP structures; Bond and interfacial stresses; Concrete-filled FRP tubular members; Concrete structures reinforced or pre-stressed with FRP; Confinement; Design issues/guidelines; Durability and long-term performance; Fire, impact and blast loading; FRP as internal reinforcement; Hybrid structures of FRP and other materials; Materials and products; Seismic retrofit of structures; Strengthening of concrete, steel, masonry and timber structures; and Testing. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration among different specialists.

Fatigue Life Prediction of Composites and Composite Structures, Second Edition, is a comprehensive review of fatigue damage and fatigue life modeling and prediction methodologies for composites and their use in practice. In this new edition, existing chapters are fully updated, while new chapters are introduced to cover the most recent developments in the field. The use of composites is growing in structural applications in many industries, including aerospace, marine, wind turbine and civil engineering. However, there are uncertainties about their long-term performance, including performance issues relating to cyclic fatigue loading that hinder the adoption of a commonly accepted credible fatigue design methodology for the life prediction of composite engineering structures. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, this book is a standard reference for industry professionals and researchers alike. - Examines past, present and future trends associated with the fatigue life prediction of composite materials and structures - Assesses novel computational methods for fatigue life modeling and prediction of composite materials under constant amplitude loading - Covers a wide range of techniques for predicting fatigue, including their theoretical background and practical applications - Addresses new topics and covers contemporary research developments in the field

This book presents an authoritative account of the potential of advanced composites such as composites, biocomposites, composites geopolymer, hybrid composites and hybrid biocomposites in aerospace application. It documents how in recent years, composite materials have grown in strength, stature, and significance to become a key material of enhanced scientific interest and resultant research into understanding their behavior for selection and safe use in a wide spectrum of technology-related applications. This collection highlights how their unique combination of superior properties such as low density, high strength, high elastic modulus, high hardness, high temperature capability, and excellent chemical and environmental stability are optimized in technologies within these field.