Review of structural health and cure monitoring techniques for large wind turbine blades

A review of structural health monitoring methods, including residual cure strain monitoring is presented for the wind turbine blade industry. A comparison is presented for dielectric, acoustic, ultrasonic, thermal and fibre optic monitoring methods. This review highlights the need for further development in this area, with potential savings to manufacturing time and reductions in cost through quality control measures, including furthering the scientific understanding of cure strain, are just some of the downstream benefits. Upstream benefits include increased investor confidence through better design, manufacture and operational practises.