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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R43143/01
Title: Tailored use of Materials for Vibration Damping in Wind Turbine Rotor Blades
Principal Investigator: Chick, Dr J
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Aerpac UK
Department: Sch of Mechanical Engineering
Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Scheme: Fast Stream
Starts: 01 March 2002 Ends: 28 February 2005 Value (£): 64,959
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials testing & eng. Wind Power
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
A problem arises during the operation of wind turbines with rotor blades longer than about 20m: an edgewise vibration can result from an unfavourable combination of operating conditions. Negative aeroelastic damping is induced, leading to large in-plane blade deformations that can lead to catastrophic failure of the blade. These effects can be minimised by optimising materials selection and placement.The effects of introducing viscoelastic material into glasslepoxy composites currently in use by wind turbine blade manufacturers will be examined. It is known that the effects of co-curing viscoelastic materials into an epoxy composite are complex: material damping is difficult to predict, and the modulus and strength are also affected. Test samples will be analysed using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and results compared with models and data drawn from the literature, where available.
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