Dynamic Load Response Analysis on Yaw Bearing of Wind Turbine to Turbulent Wind

Abstract Wind turbines are subjected to dynamic loads during their service life. The yaw bearing is an important part which also bears these loads. In this study, a series of 5-megawatt (MW) wind turbines are analyzed for their dynamic response under normal operating conditions while exposed to turbulent wind. These models are Onshore, Monopile, ITI Barge, Spar, Tension-Leg Platform (TLP), Semi-Submerisible. TurbSim is used to prescribe turbulent-wind inflow and a time domain FAST code is applied in order to conduct the Aero-Hydro-Servo-Elastic coupled analysis on the yaw loads of the wind turbines. Three different average wind velocities are examined to compare the load response of the wind turbine to turbulent wind on the yaw bearing. A Gumbel distribution coupled maximum likelihood method is used to predict ultimate loads. And the rain flow counting algorithm, the linear cumulative damage law and S-N curve theory are used to predict the damage equivalent load. The results should aid the fatigue design of yaw bearing and the yaw control system according to different wind turbine design.