Analysis of Wind Turbine Towers subjected to Blast Loading

Abstract

The research work in this paper mainly focuses on the dynamic simulation of a High strength steel wind turbine tower subjected to blast loading in increasing order, conducted by using ABAQUS. The analysis of the wind turbine tower evaluates the response and performance of the structure when subjected to blast load levels in the form of TNT charges ranging from 500 kgs to 2000 kgs applied at the base and at the top of the tower respectively. The study focuses mainly on the key parameters such as Von Mises stress, displacement, and reaction forces in which the results indicate that the High strength steel wind turbine tower passes the Von Mises stress limit up to a blast load of 1500 kgs at the base but fails under higher loads of 1750 kgs and 2000 kgs respectively where stresses of the wind turbine tower exceeds the tensile strength of the material. Moreover, at the top of the tower, the structure fails at a low charge of 500 kgs demonstrating its vulnerability to the blast load. Displacement of the wind turbine tower surpasses its recommended limit for TNT charges beyond 1500 kgs at the base with a maximum displacement of 129.49 mm at 2000 kgs. The maximum reaction force recorded was 2890 KN at a TNT charge of 1750 kgs. The study concludes by revealing the findings of the limitations of High-strength steel wind turbine towers under extreme blast conditions and throws spotlight on the need for structural reinforcement or alternative designs and hybrid towers for the wind turbine for improved performance and use in high-risk environmental zones.