Damage detection in the composite wind turbine blade for bridge applications

Many composite wind turbine blades are already reaching their design time. Thus, new ideas are investigated to give them a second life in new applications. In collaboration with the Rzeszów University of Technology, the blade’s part was tested by multiple surface-mounted optical DFOS fibres. Thanks to that approach, we created a big 3DSensor from the structural component itself, able for self-diagnostics by measuring strains (με) and calculating displacements (mm).

DFOS Sensors Installed: Optical fibre in acrylate coating

Project challenges

How to apply non-invasive diagnostics in demanding historic structures?
How to get precise measurement data to detect local damage and imperfection?
How to measure detailed strain profiles over the entire height of the brick masonry wall?

Benefits of using the DFOS monitoring system

Measurements of strains distributions in a static and high-frequency way
Shape change calculations according to the 3DSensor’s algorithm
Thousands of sensing points allowing for direct damage (fracture) detection
Unique scientific data to verify the possible ideas for component reuse

Results of using the DFOS monitoring system

Six measurements lines were installed on the surface of a composite wind turbine blade at different positions around the cross-section. After dynamic reading during load cycles, the component was loaded statically. The DFOS-based system allowed not only for strain and displacement measurements over the entire length but also for the identification of safety- critical cross-sections and, finally, the fracture.

Technical specifications

25 200 measurement points
66 m of sensing path
6 x DFOS strain sensors
short-term (laboratory)

Example results

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