Handling and Storage: Damage Risks and Mitigation Measures
The journey that a wind turbine blade takes from the factory to the turbine carries a risk of structural damage to the blade. From its work with multiple industry stakeholders, DNV has observed and investigated damage to, and the failure of, blades during the journey. Even relatively minor damage from transportation, handling or storage can worsen during operation. Such damage may result in the need for repair or, in severe cases, blade failure. Damage observed by DNV from transportation, handling and storage has ranged in severity from scratches to the blade coating where support fixtures made contact with the blade to damage to primary structural members of the blade, requiring replacement of the blade. Understanding these risks and how to mitigate them is important for protecting project investments and maximising blade durability.
By Matthew Malkin, Principal Engineer, DNV, USA
