Structural Dynamic Analysis of a Tidal Current Turbine Using Geometrically Exact Beam Theory

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study of the dynamic performance of a vertical axis tidal current turbine. First, we introduce the geometrically exact beam theory along with its numerical implementation the geometric exact beam theory (GEBT), which are used for structural modeling. We also briefly review the variational-asymptotic beam sectional analysis (VABS) theory and discrete vortex method with free-wake structure (DVM-UBC), which provide the one-dimensional (1D) constitutive model for the beam structures and the hydrodynamic forces, respectively. Then, we validate the current model with results obtained by ANSYS using three-dimensional (3D) solid elements and good agreements are observed. We investigate the dynamic performance of the tidal current turbine including modal behavior and transient dynamic performance under hydrodynamic loads. Finally, based on the results in the global dynamic analysis, we study the local stress distributions at the joint between blade and arm by VABS. It is concluded that the proposed analysis method is accurate and efficient for tidal current turbine and has a potential for future applications to those made of composite materials.