Mechanical Engineering Department Holds Discussion for PhD Thesis on “Structural Optimization-Based Enhancement of the Dynamic Performance of an Additively Manufactured Wind Turbine Blade”

 

Mechanical Engineering Department Holds Discussion for PhD Thesis on “Structural Optimization-Based Enhancement of the Dynamic Performance of an Additively Manufactured Wind Turbine Blade”

 

The PhD thesis titled “Structural Optimization-Based Enhancement of the Dynamic Performance of an Additively Manufactured Wind Turbine Blade” was held for discussion at the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Technology. The thesis, presented by the student Ahmed Kadhim Zarzoor, focused on improving the performance of wind turbine blades, with a primary emphasis on enhancing energy efficiency and production. Utilizing the innovative approach of additive manufacturing, the study aimed to experimentally validate the optimization results.

The research presents a sophisticated framework for performance optimization, meticulously integrating the fields of aerodynamics and structural analysis. This framework was implemented through MATLAB programming and a suite of specialized subroutines. The blade was fabricated from carbon fiber-reinforced PLA material with a 0-degree fiber orientation and was extensively studied for its structural integrity and vibrational response. Geometric and dynamic scaling laws were applied to ensure accurate representation of the full-scale blade behavior in scaled models.

Modal analyses conducted using ANSYS Workbench illustrated the mode shapes, patterns, and frequencies, while fatigue life analysis assessed the structure’s durability under realistic loading conditions. Experimental tests employed precise measurement tools to validate numerical predictions and confirm the improvements in structural safety achieved through design modifications. The results affirm the effectiveness of additive manufacturing and iterative design optimization in enhancing wind energy structures, demonstrating a synergistic integration of computational modeling and experimental validation.

The discussion committee consisted of:

Prof. Dr. Mohsin Noori Hamzah (Chairman)

Prof. Dr. Saad Sami Naji (Member)

Assist. Prof. Dr. Muthanna Hamzah Sadoon (Member)

Assist. Prof. Dr. Israa Yheaa Dawood (Member)

Assist. Prof. Dr. Auday Shaker Hadi (Member)

The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Ahmed Adnan Abdul Jabbar and Prof. Dr. Alaa Abdulhady Jaber.

This research underscores the department’s commitment to advancing innovative solutions in mechanical engineering, particularly in the field of renewable energy and additive manufacturing technologies.