Experimental validation of AeroDyn code and quasi-steady theory approach for aerodynamic performances of horizontal axis wind turbines

The purpose of the following work is the experimental validation of AeroDyn, a CAE software aimed at the simulation of the aerodynamics of a wind turbine, realized by the NREL. The validation is meant to be part of LIFES50Plus european project, whose aim is to develop numerical and experimental methods to approach an off-shore wind turbine design. In the same project framework, an existing turbine has been scaled for wind tunnel experimental campaigns, whose data will be used for comparison with the ones produced by the software. The validation involves the rigid model of the said turbine, in both static and dynamic cases. The latter will require only 1 degree-of-freedom surge and pitch oscillations to be applied to the scaled turbine. This work will provide the reader with an insight on the realization of the scaled model for wind tunnel and on inner work of the software. AeroDyn, though, will not be used as a stand-alone routine, but in conjunction with other codes such as HydroDyn, ElastoDyn and FAST, all realized by the NREL. Their purpose is to evaluate loads and simulate the effects of an imposed motion or structure deformations, and connect them with the aerodynamics. Changes to some of these codes were required for this project, and will be discussed in depth in the following work. A brief description of the experimental set-up will also be offered, and eventually numerical results will be compared with experimental data for validation. During the project a new numerical model for the rotor aerodynamics was developed, using a quasi-steady approach. The new model will be presented and evaluated in the same way as AeroDyn.