Preliminary structural analysis to evaluate the application potential of epoxy composites with medium and high volume fractions of ramie woven fabric in horizontal axis wind turbine towers

A literature review about polymer composites with natural fibers as dispersed phase reveals how widely these multiphase materials have been studied in the last years due to many advantages. In the context of the renewable energy industry to use eco-friendly materials in their components to ensure an even more competitive and greener production, this research aims to evaluate the potential of applying epoxy composites with medium and high volume fractions of ramie woven fabric in horizontal axis wind turbine towers. To support this study, experimentally determined bending and tensile properties of the referred biocomposites were used and some linear structural approaches have been analyzed. In the end, it was obtained a given mechanical potential to the utilization of polymer composites reinforced with ramie woven fabric considering the preliminary structural analysis developed.