Twist of Anti-symmetric Laminate Blades due to Pre-twist Angle under Centrifugal Force

Abstract

In order to establish some basic concepts on the development and design of smart blades of FRP, the influence of the pre-twist angle and the stacking sequence on the twist of anti-symmetric laminate blades under centrifugal force was analyzed by FEM (Finite Element Method).It was found that the twist direction of a blade depends only on the anti-symmetric stacking sequence and that the twist angle depends on the pre-twist.Two stacking sequences were investigated.It was shown that, for different sequences, to twist-backward is easy however to forward-twist is hard as the pre-twist angle increases.Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the twist angle of blade depends more on the coupling of the stacking sequence than it does on the pre-twist.