Experimental study of fluid-structure interaction at a model wind turbine blade using optical measurement techniques

Experimental studies of fluid-structure interaction on a single blade of the model wind turbine MoWiTO 1.8, which has been designed as an aerodynamically downscaled wind tunnel model of the NREL 5 MW turbine, were performed. Tailored inflow generated by means of a 2D active grid is used to induce dynamic stall through periodic angle of inflow changes. The interactions at the model wind turbine blade are investigated using two high-speed and non intrusive optical measurement techniques. The aerodynamics around the turbine blade is measured using temporal highly resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements at the suction side of the blade. Synchronized measurements with a high-speed photogrammetric system are linking the aerodynamic events to high accuracy measurements of the blade deflections.