Large Scale Structural Testing of Wind Turbine Blades Manufactured Using a One-Shot Out-Of-Autoclave Process

This paper gives details of large scale static testing carried out on 13m long wind turbine blades manufactured using powder epoxy glass fibre material, cured on integrally heated ceramic tooling in a novel one-shot process.... [ view full abstract ]

This paper gives details of large scale static testing carried out on 13m long wind turbine blades manufactured using powder epoxy glass fibre material, cured on integrally heated ceramic tooling in a novel one-shot process. In order to demonstrate the advantages of the one-shot process, details of the manufacturing process are given for comparison with traditional methods used to manufacture wind turbine blades. The preliminary test results are compared with Finite Element (FE) models and results of similar testing reported in literature. The results show that the blade performed as per the design intent and the powder epoxy material and the one-shot process offers a viable alternative to traditional materials and manufacturing methods used in the renewable energy sector.