Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO172: Shape sensing: a new take on structural health monitoring of wind turbine blades
Joao Pacheco, Head of Data Science, Fibersail
Abstract
Blades represent one of the most critical components in wind turbine (WT) systems, as they are continuously subjected to harsh environmental conditions and complex operational loads. Consequently, they are particularly prone to structural damage, a challenge that becomes even more critical in modern WT models designed for higher power capacity and larger rotor sizes. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been dedicated to developing monitoring systems capable of detecting blade damage at an early stage. Within this context, Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) has emerged as a promising approach in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of WTs, with several successful application cases reported. The primary objective of SHM strategies based on OMA is to identify and quantify small changes in modal parameters, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios, which are directly influenced by the blade’s global stiffness and mass distribution. To address this challenge, a Condition Monitoring System (CMS) for WT blades is being developed by Fibersail. This system is based on an innovative shape-sensing technology that integrates fiber optic sensors along the blades to continuously monitor and reconstruct their real-time behavior. Parameters such as curvature and deflection are measured, providing highly valuable input for OMA-based damage detection algorithms. The main advantage of this approach lies in the type of measurement: displacement rather than acceleration. Considering that the fundamental natural frequencies of typical WT blades are below 10 Hz, displacement-based OMA methods offer superior sensitivity for low-frequency modes compared to acceleration-based approaches, which are more effective at higher frequencies. Traditional SHM systems often rely on accelerometers because displacement measurements on rotating structures are technically challenging, requiring a fixed reference. However, the Fibersail CMS overcomes this limitation by directly capturing the full blade shape in real time, enabling robust and reliable modal parameter identification throughout the entire operational range.
No recording available for this poster.
