Finite Element Analysis and Validation of Wind Turbine Bearings

The present study was conducted to evaluate the analytical precision of finite element analysis models of wind turbine bearings. In the finite element analysis models, balls were modeled as finite element meshes as a solid model or replaced by nonlinear springs as two kinds of spring models. In addition, test bench modeling was performed to calculate the displacement following the application of a turnover moment by means of a global model analysis and to calculate the contact stress by means of a sub-model analysis. The comparison of the results of the finite element analyses with the results of the bearing bench test showed that the analytical precision was 17% in the single-spring model, 9% in the Daidie spring model, and 3% in the finite element mesh ball model, indicating that the finite element mesh ball model exhibited the highest precision.