Experimental Analysis of Local Aerodynamic Effects for Rotors of Floating Wind Turbines Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Master Thesis (2026)
Author(s)

J.W.S. Jacobs (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

Contributor(s)

F. Taruffi – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

M. Miroux – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

Mac Gaunaa – Mentor (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

A.C. Viré – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

L.T. Lima Pereira – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Graduation Date
31-08-2026
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology , Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Programme
Aerospace Engineering, Wind Energy
Sponsors
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
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Abstract

This MSc thesis focuses on characterising the local aerodynamic phenomena that can arise due to the imposed surge motion for a floating offshore wind turbine.
In this study, the local aerodynamics are investigated in an experimental wind tunnel campaign using a hybrid test setup. The main parameter of interest is the angle of attack, due to its importance in loads and control. The axial induction factor, tangential induction factor and local thrust coefficient are also computed. A stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) setup is used to measure the local flow field at a spanwise section in the outboard region. From the stitched flow fields, the angle of attack and other parameters are calculated for four different phases of a surge motion at a rotor reduced frequency of 0.60, and for a baseline bottom-fixed case. 

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