Modelling rain drop impact on offshore wind turbine blades

The effects of rain and hail erosion and impact damage on the leading edge of offshore wind turbine blades have been investigated. A literature review was conducted to establish the effects of exposure to these conditions and also to investigate the liquid impact phenomena and their implications for leading edge materials. The role of Explicit Dynamics software modelling in simulating impact events was then also established. Initial rain impact modelling is then discussed with the results showing good agreement with theoretical predictions both numerically and with respect to the temporal and spatial development of the impact event. Future development of the rain model and a proposed hail model are then detailed. Planned rain impact and erosion testing work is addressed which will be used to validate, inform and compliment the ongoing modelling efforts.