Numerical Analysis of Strut Thickness and Placement Effects on H-Darrieus Vertical-Axis Water Turbine

Abstract

Vertical axis water turbines offer a promising technology for harnessing tidal currents to generate renewable electricity. However, these turbines are still under development and face challenges, particularly their susceptibility to fatigue due to vibrations, which can lead to failure. This study addresses the influence of radial forces on performance by analyzing the strut component of an H-Darrieus vertical axis water turbine. The analysis varies the strut's thickness and positioning using a one-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) approach. Three-dimensional models of different turbine configurations, including the flow domain, are created, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to assess the turbine's torque. This torque data is then used in structural simulations via Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate the stress and deformation in various turbine models. The simulation results provide insights into optimal turbine designs under applied hydrodynamic loads.