Structural lifetime prediction based on monitored structural responses of a wind energy converter

An observation-aided approach for the structural lifetime prediction of a wind energy converter (WEC) is presented, which is based on the coupling of continuous monitoring, boundary layer wind tunnel experiments as well as an adequate numerical model of the real world system. The two major project objectives are: Firstly, the sufficiently precise identification of the location and the evolution of existing or emerging deteriorations based on a novel method for system identification, secondly, the reliable lifetime prediction for damage sensitive parts of the structural system using continuously updated numerical models.