Structural integrity of tapered cylindrical shell: Study case of tower wind turbine

The present study investigates the structural integrity of a wind turbine tower structure under axial compression, described as a tapered tubular structure. Initially, the NREL model of the 5 MW-net wind turbine model was adapted and then scaled down to simplify the numerical analysis and for the convenience of future experimental study. The analysis was conducted using the Finite Element Modelling software Abaqus. To ensure the validity of the FEM modelling, the benchmarking study is conducted by referring to previously published work. The case configuration was developed by varying the material properties of the tower (high, medium, and low carbon steels) and the material properties of the tower due to the effect of the site temperature. The results obtained show that high carbon steel has the best properties for use in wind turbine structures. At -80 °C, this is the temperature condition where AH32 material has the best properties.