Improvement of the Strength of a Novel Shear Web Blade Design by Numerical Analysis

Abstract

The geometry of a shear web significantly affects the performance of wind turbines. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of novel shear web configurations inspired by banana leaf midrib topology, compared to conventional designs. Finite Element Method (FEM) and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations were employed to evaluate stress distribution, deflection, and modal frequencies under varying wind speeds (3–7 m/s). The aerodynamic forces acting on the blade were derived from airfoil profiles inspired by banana leaf midribs. Results show that the blade with a short banana leaf midrib shear web achieved the lowest deflection, while the long midrib configuration minimized stress. Additionally, the dual-web configuration exhibited the lowest natural frequencies. These findings demonstrate that biomimetic shear web designs can enhance structural efficiency and offer promising alternatives to conventional blades.