IEC TS 61400-23:2001

Wind turbine generator systems - Part 23: Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades

Is a technical specification providing guidelines for the full-scale structural testing of wind turbine blades and for the interpretation or evaluation of results, as a possible part of a design verification of the integrity of the blade. Includes static strength tests, fatigue tests, and other tests determining blade properties.
This publication is of high relevance for Smart Grid.

General Information

• Status: Replaced
• Publication Date: 25-Apr-2001
• ICS: 27.180 - Wind turbine energy systems
• Technical Committee: TC 88 - Wind energy generation systems
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Completion Date: 08-Apr-2014

Relations

• Replaced By: IEC 61400-23:2014 - Wind turbines - Part 23: Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL IEC
SPECIFICATION
TS 61400-23
First edition
2001-04
Wind turbine generator systems –
Part 23:
Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades
Aérogénérateurs –
Partie 23:
Essais en vraie grandeur des structures des pales
Reference number
IEC/TS 61400-23:2001(E)
Publication numbering
As from 1 January 1997 all IEC publications are issued with a designation in the
60000 series. For example, IEC 34-1 is now referred to as IEC 60034-1.
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edition numbers 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 refer, respectively, to the base publication, the
base publication incorporating amendment 1 and the base publication incorporating
amendments 1 and 2.
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TECHNICAL IEC
SPECIFICATION
TS 61400-23
First edition
2001-04
Wind turbine generator systems –
Part 23:
Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades
Aérogénérateurs –
Partie 23:
Essais en vraie grandeur des structures des pales
 IEC 2001  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – TS 61400-23  IEC:2001(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION .6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Definitions. 8
4 Notation . 11
4.1 Symbols . 11
4.2 Greek symbols . 11
4.3 Subscripts . 11
4.4 Abbreviations . 12
5 General principles . 12
5.1 Purpose of tests . 12
5.2 Limit states . 12
5.3 Practical constraints . 13
5.4 Results of test . 13
6 Blade data. 14
6.1 General. 14
6.2 External dimensions and interfaces . 14
6.3 Blade characteristics . 15
6.4 Material data . 16
6.5 Design loads and conditions . 16
6.6 Areas to be tested . 18
6.7 Special blade modifications . 18
6.8 Root fixing. 18
6.9 Mechanisms. 18
7 Differences between design and test load conditions . 18
7.1 General. 18
7.2 Load introduction. 19
7.3 Bending moments and shear . 19
7.4 Flatwise and edgewise combinations . 20
7.5 Radial loads . 20
7.6 Torsion loads . 20
7.7 Mechanisms. 20
7.8 Environmental conditions. 20
7.9 Load spectrum and sequence. 21
8 Test loading .21
8.1 General. 21
8.2 Load-based testing. 21
8.3 Strength-based testing . 22
8.4 Static-test load aspects . 23
8.5 Fatigue-test load aspects . 24
8.6 Sequence of static and fatigue tests . 25
8.7 Mechanisms. 26

TS 61400-23  IEC:2001(E) – 3 –
9 Load factors for testing. 26
9.1 General. 26
9.2 Partial safety factors used in the design. 26
9.3 Test load factors . 27
9.4 Application of load factors to obtain the target load . 28
10 Evaluation of test load distribution in relation to design requirements . 29
10.1 General. 29
10.2 Influence of load introduction. 29
10.3 Static tests . 29
10.4 Fatigue tests . 33
11 Failure modes . 36
11.1 General. 36
11.2 Catastrophic failure . 37
11.3 Functional failure. 37
11.4 Superficial failure . 37
12 Test procedures and methods . 38
12.1 General. 38
12.2 Test stand and root fixture requirements. 38
12.3 Load introduction fixtures . 38
12.4 Static strength test . 39
12.5 Fatigue testing . 40
12.6 Advantages and disadvantages of test alternatives . 43
12.7 Deterministic corrections . 43
12.8 Data collection . 44
13 Other tests determining blade properties . 46
13.1 General. 46
13.2 Test stand deflections . 46
13.3 Deflection. 46
13.4 Stiffness distribution. 46
13.5 Strain distribution measurements. 47
13.6 Natural frequencies . 48
13.7 Damping . 48
13.8 Mode shapes. 48
13.9 Mass distribution . 48
13.10 Creep. 48
13.11 Other non-destructive testing. 48
13.12 Blade sectioning. 49
14 Reporting . 49
14.1 General. 49
14.2 Content . 49
Annex A (normative) Partial safety factors considerations . 51
Annex B (normative) Sensitivity of the evaluation to fatigue formulation. 52
Annex C (normative) Loading angle change considerations . 54
Annex D (informative) Examples of test set-ups . 56
Bibliography . 63

– 4 – TS 61400-23  IEC:2001(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
WIND TURBINE GENERATOR SYSTEMS –
Part 23: Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising all
national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in
addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is entrusted to technical
committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work.
International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this
preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International Orga
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