1st Report Finding Natural Frequency Wind Turbine (without top mass)

Mathematical Analysis

For a cantilever beam subjected to free vibration, and the system is considered as continuous
system in which the beam mass is considered as distributed along with the stiffness of the shaft, the
equation of motion can be written as (Meirovitch, 1967),

(4.1)

Where, E is the modulus of rigidity of beam material, I is the moment of inertia of the beam cross-
section, Y(x) is displacement in y direction at distance x from fixed end, ω is the circular natural
frequency, m is the mass per unit length, m = ρA(x) , ρ is the material density, x is the distance
measured from the fixed end.

Fig. 4.1 (a): A cantilever beam

Fig. 4.1 (b): The beam under free vibration

Fig. 4.1(a) shows of a cantilever beam with rectangular cross section, which can be subjected to bending
vibration by giving a small initial displacement at the free end; and Fig. 4.1(b) depicts of cantilever
beam under the free vibration.

We have following boundary conditions for a cantilever beam (Fig. 4.1)

 (4.2)

(4.3)

For a uniform beam under free vibration from equation (4.1), we get

(4.4)

with

The mode shapes for a continuous cantilever beam is given as

(4.5)

Where

A closed form of the circular natural frequency ωnf, from above equation of motion and boundary
conditions can be written as,

(4.6)

Where

So,
First natural frequency

(4.7)

Second natural frequency

 (4.8)

Third natural frequency

(4.9)

The natural frequency is related with the circular natural frequency as

(4.10)

where I, the moment of inertia of the beam cross-section, for a hollow circular cross-section it is given
as

  d14  d 2 4 
I (4.11)
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Input Parameter
Finite Element Program Analysis

1. Beam Element

Input data; dimeter of tower = DT

Thickness of tower = tT
Height of tower = LT
Tower young’s modulus = 210 Gpa
Density of material = 7860 kg/m3

Example for case 1 in beam element

2. Solid Element

Input data; dimeter of tower = DT

Thickness of tower = tT
Height of tower = LT
Tower young’s modulus = 210 Gpa
Density of material = 7860 kg/m3

Example for case 1 in solid element

3. Taper Solid Element

Input data; Tower top dimeter = Dt

Tower bottom dimeter = Db
Thickness of tower = tT
Height of tower = LT
Tower young’s modulus = 210 Gpa
Density of material = 7860 kg/m3

Example for case 1 in taper shape