Fatigue cracks in the blade skins of the Millville Wind Turbine Generator were fractographically analyzed. It is believed they were caused by large flapwise deflections during a wind storm on December 4, 1978. The deflections caused the skin to buckle, which initiated rapidly growing fatigue cracks. Propagation continued to the leading edge, moving radially inward and outward along the leading edge radius. Communication between Rockwell and Millville resulted in a modified blade design which incorporates several corrective techniques.
Rockwell International Corp., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
Design Methods, Tools & Standards
Drivetrains & Generators
Technical Report
Waldon, C. A.; Carr, M. J.; Grotzky, V. K.