Structural analysis of a wind turbine and its drive train using the flexible multibody simulation technique

This article demonstrates the application of a generic methodology, based on the flexible multibody simulation technique, for the dynamic analysis of a wind turbine and its drive train, including a gearbox. The analysis of the complete wind turbine is limited up to 10 Hz, whereas the study of the drive train includes frequencies up to 1500 Hz. Both studies include a normal modes analysis. The analysis of the drive train includes additionally a response calculation for an excitation from the meshing gears, a Campbell analysis for the identification of possible resonance behaviour and a simulation of a transient load case, which occurs as a sudden torque variation caused by a disturbance in the electrical grid.