Abstract:
This chapter is concerned with hybrid composite materials for very large lightweight wind turbine blades. It emphasizes the topic of structural and materials aspects of advanced composites in aerospace engineering applications. One of the perspectives of the development of high-energy wind turbines is dependent on the evolution of material concepts for wind turbine blades. Other prospective directions are reliant on the integrated structural health monitoring, active vibration reduction systems, advanced environmental durability, and novel maintenance issues. Upscaling of wind turbine blades requires specific solutions due to structural and material constraints. The chapter reviews several composite laminates including ply drop-off concepts, self-healing composites with nanostructures, and fracture mechanics of such material systems