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Minimal strutcural file requirements
Good afternoon,
Thank you for sharing and developing QBlade, it is a very practical and useful tool.
I am encountering issues with understanding how the structural modeling files work. I have created a H-type VAWT turbine in the software and I am able to run simulations without a structural model.
In the scope of my research, I do not want to consider any structural properties of the turbine, I only need the aerodynamics. However, I would like to implement pressure sensors on the blades as well as active blade pitching controlled by a python script. From my understanding, I need to load some structural model file to be able to include those.
I am having a hard time understanding what minimal information is needed within the structural modeling file and the blade property files.
I do not have a CAD model of the turbine, is it possible to proceed without one? I do not need a very accurate representation of my turbine.
Thank you very much for your time and support.
Hi,
setting up a complete structural model of a wind turbine can be a daunting task, requiring a good understanding of the structural design of several turbine components. The required data, and how such a model is setup in general is detailed in the documentation here. The learing curve can be quite steep to setup everything correctly and consistently.
If you prefer not to model the turbine structurally you could impose dynamic pitching motion either through Simulation Input Files, or by running QBlade in the Software in Loop (SIL) Interface, from where you can call the function dll_SetControlVars(), to dynamically change the pitch.
A “pressure sensor” is not available in QBlade, however you could compute the dynamic pressure from velocity signals measured at the blade.
BR,
David
Hi,
Thank you very much for your help and reply. I tried using the SIL interface along with ‘void setControlVars_at_num(double *vars, int num = 0)‘. However when I run my code I get the following message: No Structural Model Present in the Simulation.
From my understanding using the SIL had the advantage of eliminating the need for a structural model. Am I mistaken?
Thank you for your time,
Serge
Hi Serge,
yuo are correct. Upon a closer inspection of the source code I can see that currently this function only has an effect when a structural model is included.
However, this is not a strong requirement, so from the next release onwards setControlVars_at_num() can also be executed on aerodynamic-only turbine definitions. In this case this function can be used to set the yaw and pitch angles.
Unfortunately, until then your only option to change the pitch of an aerodynamic-only turbine defintiion dynamically is to use a Simulation Input File.
BR,
David
Thank you once again for your prompt answer and excellent support.
I will try and develop a structural model in the meantime.
However, to reduce computational costs, is it possible to include a structural model whilst disabling any structural computations? I am only interested in my controller’s impact on aerodynamics.
Best,
Serge
Hi Serge,
its not possible to disable the structural solver during an aeroelastic simulation.
However, to reduce computational cost, you can reduce the number of beam elements that are used to discretize the tower and blades.
Besides, the Project Chrono based structural solver is already highly efficient and shouldnt increase the computational cost significantly for a simple onshore wind turbine model.
BR,
David
Hello,
Thanks again for your answer. Do you know by any chance when approximately the next release of the software will be available?
Hi,
there is no fixed release schedule.
When a sufficient number of changes and fixes have accumulated, we package them into a minor release. However, it is difficult to estimate a specific timeframe for this process.
BR,
David
Hi,
I am attempting to develop a simple structural model for my H-type VAWT. My goal is to have as little computation power spent on structural mechanics and for the VAWT to effectively behave like a rigid object. I wrote up some structural model files as explained in the documentation. The files load up but when I click on create turbine I get the following error:
Structural Model File:
’VAWT_struct.str
Structural Model: Error during constraints construction
Check the main structural input file for the overall dimensions…
Hint:
Drivetrain could not be created
I have looked for inconsistent constraints in my structural model but I was unable to figure it out. I have attached the structural model files (the main file is VAWT_struct.str).
Thank you very much for your time and help.
Best,
Serge
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Hi Serge,
it seems like your structural data tables dont have the correct format (blade,tower,torquetube).
Also, you are missing the BLDCONN keyword, for rigid blade – torquetube connections – since your design doesnt have struts.
I would suggest using the Sandia 34m VAWT template from the Model Files downloads as a starting template, and modify the files according to your geometry!
After you load the SANDIA34m project you can export the structural model files from the turbine design dialog, see the attached screenshot.
BR,
David
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