Ultrasonic NDT of wind turbine blades using guided waves

Abstract

In order fully to exploit energy of wind power the construction elements of the wind turbine should be inspected periodically. Ultrasonic air-coupled technique using guided waves has been selected for inspection of wind turbine blades, because only one side access is enough and no contact is needed. Dispersion curves of phase velocities as well as leakage losses versus frequency were calculated using numerical global matrix model.
Taking into account the results of the performed simulations the frequency of the ultrasonic transducers was selected to be 290 kHz due to non-dispersive region of phase velocities. The ultrasonic air-coupled technique using guided waves was used for investigation of the artificial internal defects in the wind turbine blade. These defects (diameter 19 mm and 49 mm) were made on the internal side of the main spar. From the ultrasonically obtained images it is possible to recognize the geometry of defects and to estimate approximate dimensions of the defects.