optDIC research project

Project title: optDIC – Optimizationof the DIC measurement system for detecting deformations on wind turbines

Summary:

The design of modern wind turbines is strongly influenced and limited by aeroelastic and structural dynamic aspects. To validate these design methods, extensive long-term deformation measurements on wind turbines are required, which are currently not available. In the “optDIC” project, the optical measurement technology Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is being further developed in order to enable long-term deformation measurements on wind turbines and thus reduce the lack of experimental validation data. By using suitable artificial intelligence methods or conventional image processing algorithms, the rotor blades are to be detected in real time, thereby significantly reducing the amount of data recorded. In addition, the measurement method currently used is to be extended so that changes in wind direction can be compensated for. An automated evaluation of the recorded measurement data should also increase the industrial and scientific attractiveness of DIC. As part of this project, the current DIC measurement system is to be made weatherproof with regard to long-term measurements. Finally, long-term field measurements of transient deformations on a wind turbine will be used to test and evaluate the data processing and analysis methods developed.