Seismic Response Analysis of a MW Class Wind-Turbine Considering Applied Wind Loads

In this study, seismic response analyses of a MW class wind-turbine have been conducted considering applied wind-loads using advanced computational method based on CFD and FEM. Typical lateral and vertical acceleration levels induced by earthquake is also considered herein. Practical numerical method for seismic response analysis of wind-turbine tower models are presented in the time-domain and the effects of wind load and seismic excitation for responses are compared to each other. It is importantly shown that possible earthquake effect during typical operating conditions should be taken into account in the design of huge wind-turbine tower systems because of its enormous inertia characteristics for induced maximum stress level.