Comprehensive Review of Composite Repair Strategies for Wind Turbine Rotor Blades
摘要
Renewable energy, particularly wind power, is crucial for meeting global energy demands and mitigating climate change. Wind turbine rotor blades, made from fiber-reinforced polymer composites, are engineered for optimal performance, relying on a high stiffness-to-weight ratio essential for maintaining structural integrity. However, these composite blades are susceptible to various types of damage, including mechanical loads, environmental stresses, and potential manufacturing defects. While wind turbines are generally expected to operate for 20–25 years, early failures at critical locations within the rotor blade structure are increasingly common, sometimes occurring within the first five to eight years of service. Among the several damage mechanisms contributing to these early failures, one of the most prominent is fatigue failure in composite materials. These early failure circumstances underscore the importance of adequate maintenance and repair strategies to extend blade lifespans and prevent costly replacements. Structural repairs, such as bonded repairs and injection repairs, are often more economical when the damage is not severe, especially for larger blades, and require a comprehensive understanding of existing repair techniques and innovative approaches to enhance durability and minimize downtime. This paper provides a current state-of-the-art review of the repair strategies used, particularly emphasizing methods that address fatigue damage failures initiated by the cyclic loads experienced by rotor blades. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers focused on the analysis and design of composite wind rotor blades, offering insights into current and emerging repair methodologies.