Abstract: | Predicting the load in every possible situation is necessary in order to build safe and optimized structures. A highly dynamical case where large loads are developed is an emergency stop. Design simulation tools that can cope with the upcoming non‐linearities will be especially important as the turbines get bigger and more flexible. The model developed here uses the advanced commercial finite element system MSC.Marc, focused on non‐linear design and analysis, to predict the structural response. The aerodynamic model named AERFORCE, used to transform the wind to loads on the blades, is a blade element momentum model. A comparison is made between measured and calculated loads for the Tjæreborg wind turbine during emergency braking of the rotor. The simulation results correspond well with measured data. The conclusion is that the aeroelastic tool is likely to perform well when simulating more flexible turbines. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |