Inspection of wind turbine bolted connections using the Ultrasonic Phased Array system

Brandon Mills; Yashar Javadi; Farhad Abad; Saeid Lotfian; Charles MacLeod; Ali Mehmanparast; Gareth Pierce; Anthony Gachagan

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34579

Inspection of wind turbine bolted connections using the Ultrasonic Phased Array system

Brandon Mills^*, Yashar Javadi, Farhad Abad, Saeid Lotfian, Charles MacLeod, Ali Mehmanparast, Gareth Pierce, Anthony Gachagan

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

This study explores the inspection of bolted connections in wind turbines, specifically focusing on the application of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). The research comprises four sections: Acoustoelastic Constant calibration, high tension investigation on bolts, blind tests on larger bolts, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) verification. The methodology shows accurate results for stress while the bolt is under operative loads, and produces a clear indication of when it is above these loads and beginning to deform. PAUT emerges as a promising tool for bolt inspection, offering multiple imaging modes for simultaneous stress monitoring and defect detection. The study advocates for PAUT as a robust method to enhance wind turbine safety, longevity, and future in-situ testing.

Original language	English
Article number	e34579
Number of pages	11
Journal	Heliyon
Volume	10
Issue number	14
Early online date	13 Jul 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34579
Publication status	Published - 30 Jul 2024

Funding

This work was sponsored by The University of Strathclyde's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), EP/X525820/1, supporting collaboration between the Sensor Enabled Automation Robotics & Control Hub (SEARCH), Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering (CUE), Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering (EEE), and the Offshore Structural Integrity research group at the Department of Naval Architecture at the University of Strathclyde, in partnership with the Italian National Research Council.

Keywords

non-destructive testing
Phased Array Ultrasonic Transducers
stress measurement
bolt inspection
ultrasonic testing

Access to Document

10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34579Licence: CC BY 4.0

Mills-etal-Heliyon-2024-Inspection-of-wind-turbine-bolted-connectionsFinal published version, 7.49 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account - University of Strathclyde 2022 / R220416-149
Bauer, R. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/04/22 → 31/03/25
Project: Research - Internally Allocated

Cite this

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title = "Inspection of wind turbine bolted connections using the Ultrasonic Phased Array system",

abstract = "This study explores the inspection of bolted connections in wind turbines, specifically focusing on the application of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). The research comprises four sections: Acoustoelastic Constant calibration, high tension investigation on bolts, blind tests on larger bolts, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) verification. The methodology shows accurate results for stress while the bolt is under operative loads, and produces a clear indication of when it is above these loads and beginning to deform. PAUT emerges as a promising tool for bolt inspection, offering multiple imaging modes for simultaneous stress monitoring and defect detection. The study advocates for PAUT as a robust method to enhance wind turbine safety, longevity, and future in-situ testing.",

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AU - Mills, Brandon

AU - Javadi, Yashar

AU - Abad, Farhad

AU - Lotfian, Saeid

AU - MacLeod, Charles

AU - Mehmanparast, Ali

AU - Pierce, Gareth

AU - Gachagan, Anthony

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AB - This study explores the inspection of bolted connections in wind turbines, specifically focusing on the application of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). The research comprises four sections: Acoustoelastic Constant calibration, high tension investigation on bolts, blind tests on larger bolts, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) verification. The methodology shows accurate results for stress while the bolt is under operative loads, and produces a clear indication of when it is above these loads and beginning to deform. PAUT emerges as a promising tool for bolt inspection, offering multiple imaging modes for simultaneous stress monitoring and defect detection. The study advocates for PAUT as a robust method to enhance wind turbine safety, longevity, and future in-situ testing.

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KW - Phased Array Ultrasonic Transducers

KW - stress measurement

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Inspection of wind turbine bolted connections using the Ultrasonic Phased Array system

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

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Projects

EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account - University of Strathclyde 2022 / R220416-149

Cite this