Modal Identification of a Rotating Blade System

A new testing technique and the Ibrahim time domain (ITD) modal identification algorithm have been combined, resulting in a capability to estimate modal parameters for rotating blade systems. This capability has been evaluated on the Sandia two-meter, vertical-axis wind turbine. Variation in modal frequencies as a function of rotation speed has been experimentally determined from 0 rpm (parked) to 800 rpm. Excitation of the rotating turbine was provided by a scheme which suddenly released a pretensioned cable, thus plucking the turbine as it rotated.