Wind Engineering

Module 4.1
Blade Element Theory
Lakshmi N Sankar
lsankar@ae.gatech.edu

Recap
In Module 1, we looked at an overview of the
course objectives, syllabus, and deliverables.
We also reviewed history of wind technology,
nomenclature, and case studies.
In Module 2, we looked at the wind turbine
as an actuator disk, and established the
theoretical maximum for power that may be
captured.
In module 3, we reviewed airfoil
aerodynamics, and discussed how to
compute lift and drag coefficients. We also
reviewed airfoil design issues.

OVERVIEW
In this module 4.1, we will review the
basics of blade element theory.
In module 4.2, we will talk about public
domain solvers, and show how to use
these.
When module 4.2 is done, you are ready to
validate one of these solvers using
available wind turbine data.
This will be the second deliverable for this
course.

Blade Element Theory

We look at a reference blade from a multi-blade system (typically 2
or 3).
Blade, geometry, wind speed, blade RPM, and blade pitch angle are
assumed to be known or chosen.

We divide the blade into strips, aka blade elements.

On each strip/element
We find the local section angle of attack.
We look up the corresponding lift and drag coefficients from a table of
airfoil characteristics.
We correct these for tip losses, root losses, stall delay, swirl losses as
needed.
We find lift and drag forces.
We find the propulsive force (in the plane of rotation)
We find the torque contribution of that strip.

Sum up the toque contribution over all strips to find torque for one
blade.
Multiply by the number of blades, B.
Vary the wind speed and compute the entire performance map.

Calculation of Angle of
Attack
The figure on the right is
from AeroDyne Theory
manual, found in the
resource section.

is pitch angle (known from

from blade geometry)
U is wind speed
a is the axial induction
factor (axial induced
velocity v divided by wind
speed), discussed later.
a is a tangential induction
factor (tangential induced
velocity divided by r),
discussed later.
r is the local speed ratio
r/ U

Lift and Drag are functions of

Angle of Attack,
Once is known, we can
look up lift and drag
coefficients: Cl and Cd .
Unfortunately, these
quantities influence the
axial induction factor a
and the tangential
induction factor a.
An iteration is needed as
discussed later.
If Cl and Cd are known,
we can find sectional
forces and torques as
shown on the right side.

Thrust generated by the Strip

width dr and chord c, for all
the blades, B:

Torque generated by the Strip

width dr and chord c, for all
the blades, B: