SOFT

Simulation, Optimisation, Fabrication and Testing

Marc Garbey, Malek Smaoui, Nicolas De Brye and Christophe Picard


Methods (3)

The genetic algorithm:
  1. Creates a first generation of blades (parameter combination) and generates the corresponding input files of ADINA.
  2. Runs the according simulations (with ADINA) to evaluate their output.
  3. Generates a new generation of blades using genetic operations (selection, crossover, mutation) where the output of the simulation is the fitness function.
  4. Repeats step 2 and 3 until converging to the blade that has the best output over all the generations (fig. 3).


3. Steps of the genetic algorithm


Fabrication:
We built a standardized support that hides the electric generator and holds the prototype blades. The fabrication of the windmill is done using a 3D printer. We use a CAD software to draw the shape of the blade into the input file of the printer. In order to test this process, multiple models of wind turbines have been printed.

Testing:
The wind tunnel was built for less than $100 of equipment. It creates flow conditions to allow testing the prototypes and comparing them to the simulation.

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