Dynamic performance investigation for large-scale wind turbine tower

In the present paper, some basic features of the analysis and design of the prototype of a steel 1 MW wind turbine tower are presented. The structure is 57.00 m high and tubular shape with variable cross section and variable thickness of the wall along its height. We analyzed the tower's structural characteristics and the effects of operational loads and wind loads. For the simulation of its structural response, two different finite element models have been developed. Based on the results of the latter analysis and the comparison between the model and the actual tower, shell unit is a better unit for building up tower finite element model and the tower's natural frequencies are much higher than the tower's working frequency, so resonance will never happen. Because the wind turbine's structure is complicated, we simplified calculation model and results show that it is feasible to analyze the tower's low natural frequencies and vibration modes. Nacelle's moment of inertia cannot be omitted when calculating tower's high natural frequencies and vibration modes accurately