Fast finite element modelling of bridled leading-edge inflatable kites
P.I.H. Roeleveld (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
R. Schmehl – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Jelle Poland – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
S. Giovani Pereira Castro – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Frits de Prenter – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
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Abstract
Accurate aero-structural modelling of leading-edge inflatable kites is essential for scaling up airborne wind energy systems. Yet, existing approaches make simplifications on either the wing or the bridle line system. This paper presents a fast finite element modelling framework that integrates the wing structure and bridle lines into a single model. The finite element framework captures material and geometric non-linearities using the Newton–Raphson scheme with a co-rotational formulation. The bridle line system is represented using non-compressive springs, which are also used to represent pulleys. Inflatable leading edge and strut tubes are modelled as Timoshenko beam elements, with beam properties tuned iteratively to match experimentally fitted inflatable beam equations. The canopy is represented using non-compressive spring elements, allowing for the resolving of billowing effects. The framework is applied to the V3 kite, and validation is performed against stereoscopic photogrammetry measurements obtained from static load tests under varying internal pressures and external loads. The results demonstrate good agreement with measured kite shapes for most cases, confirming the model’s ability to capture the dominant structural behaviour of leading-edge inflatable kites. The proposed framework provides a basis for aero-structural analysis in kite design, and enables future coupling with aerodynamic models for steady and quasi-steady kite simulations.