Elastic Field and Frequency Variation in Extendable Wind Turbine Blades.

The behaviors of tip displacement, maximum stress, and natural frequency of vibration as a function of blade length are investigated for extendable wind turbine blades. A three-dimensional linear elasticity finite-element model of the blade is used along with a typical profile and representative material properties. The quasi-linear response and free vibration behavior are investigated for a sequence of blade geometries. These estimates are intended to give approximate measures of expected changes in the elastic and dynamic field as the operating length changes and provide preliminary guidelines for this novel class of structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]