This paper presents the design and analysis for a spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The cap is formed of an integral, unitary 3D woven material having constant thickness; spar cap weight is varied and controlled by appropriately tapering the cap width from the blade root to tip. This analysis is employed for 24-m and 37-m rotor blades. These studies are conducted parametrically, examining a range of materials incorporating varying fractions of glass and carbon fibers, and hence exhibiting a range of structural properties and material costs. These parametric studies are used to determine the impact on blade weight and cost resulting from the various materials studied. Detailed results are presented in the form of tables to enable candidate materials to be evaluated as they are developed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
November 2006
Research Papers
3D Woven Carbon/Glass Hybrid Spar Cap for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade
Mansour H. Mohamed,
Mansour H. Mohamed
3TEX, Inc.
, Cary, NC 27511
Search for other works by this author on:
Kyle K. Wetzel
Kyle K. Wetzel
Wetzel Engineering, Inc.
, Lawrence, KS 66046
Search for other works by this author on:
Mansour H. Mohamed
3TEX, Inc.
, Cary, NC 27511
Kyle K. Wetzel
Wetzel Engineering, Inc.
, Lawrence, KS 66046J. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 2006, 128(4): 562-573 (12 pages)
Published Online: August 3, 2006
Article history
Received:
April 10, 2006
Revised:
August 3, 2006
Citation
Mohamed, M. H., and Wetzel, K. K. (August 3, 2006). "3D Woven Carbon/Glass Hybrid Spar Cap for Wind Turbine Rotor Blade." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 2006; 128(4): 562–573. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2349543
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Mass Flow Control Strategy for Maximum Energy Extraction in Thermal Energy Storage Tanks
J. Sol. Energy Eng (December 2025)
Related Articles
Alternative Composite Materials for Megawatt-Scale Wind Turbine Blades: Design Considerations and Recommended Testing
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2003)
Utility Scale Twist-Flap Coupled Blade Design
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2005)
New Fatigue Data for Wind Turbine Blade Materials
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2003)
A Parallelized Coupled Navier-Stokes/Vortex-Panel Solver
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2005)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Wind Turbine Airfoils and Rotor Wakes
Wind Turbine Technology: Fundamental Concepts in Wind Turbine Engineering, Second Edition
Three-Dimensional Solid Modeling of Large Wind Turbine Blade Based on Wilson Theory
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Technology (ICMET-London 2011)
A Utility Perspective of Wind Energy
Wind Turbine Technology: Fundamental Concepts in Wind Turbine Engineering, Second Edition