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Running the blade_test.yml Example

This guide explains how to run the blade_test.yml example included in the B3P repository. The example demonstrates a complete workflow for processing a wind turbine blade model, including building the 3D geometry, performing 2D and 3D structural analyses, and generating output files.

Prerequisites

Before running the example, ensure:

  • B3P is installed (see Installation).
  • Dependencies (CalculiX, ANBA4, Conda environment anba4-env) are set up.
  • The examples folder contains blade_test.yml and linked files (materials.yml, loads.yml, laminates.yml).
  • Sufficient disk space (~500 MB) for output files.

Running the Example

The blade_test.yml example processes a wind turbine blade model through geometry creation, meshing, 2D sectional analysis, and 3D finite element analysis (FEA). You can run it using the testrun.py script or individual B3P commands.

Run all steps

cd examples
bash runex.sh

Manual Execution

To run the workflow manually:

  1. Clean the workspace (optional): 

    b3p clean blade_test.yml
    Removes the temp_blade_portable directory.

  2. Build the 3D model: 

    b3p build blade_test.yml
    Constructs the blade geometry, loads airfoils (e.g., NACA 0017), and generates meshes.

  3. Run 2D analysis: 

    b3p 2d blade_test.yml
    Generates 2D sectional meshes and runs ANBA4 analysis at specified radial positions.

  4. Run 3D FEA: 

    b3p ccx blade_test.yml
    Prepares and solves the 3D FEA using CalculiX for load cases (e.g., forward flap, edge).

  5. Run CCBlade analysis (optional): 

    b3p ccblade blade_test.yml
    Performs aerodynamic analysis.

Generated Files

The workflow generates files in temp_blade_portable:

  • Mesh Files (temp_blade_portable/mesh/):

    • Airfoil data (e.g., xs_test_blade_t_*.dat).
    • 3D meshes (e.g., test_blade.vtp, test_blade_shell.vtp).
    • Web meshes (e.g., test_blade_w0.vtp).
    • Configuration files (e.g., test_blade_variables.json).

  • Drape Files (temp_blade_portable/drape/):

    • Material data (e.g., material_map.json, ply_bom.csv).
    • Draped meshes (e.g., test_blade_shell_dr.vtu).
    • Mass summaries (e.g., test_blade_mass.csv).
    • 2D sectional meshes (e.g., msec_*.vtp, msec_*.xdmf).

  • FEA Files (temp_blade_portable/fea/):

    • CalculiX inputs (e.g., test_blade_ccx_mp_lc_forward_flap.inp).
    • Results (e.g., test_blade_ccx_mp_lc_forward_flap.vtu).

  • Aerodynamic Results:

    • ccblade_output.csv, ccblade_output.png, polars.png.

Workflow Summary

  1. Cleaning: Clears previous output.
  2. Building: Creates 3D geometry and meshes from YAML inputs.
  3. 2D Analysis: Generates and analyzes 2D sectional meshes.
  4. 3D FEA: Solves structural analysis for specified load cases.
  5. Aerodynamic Analysis: Computes performance metrics with CCBlade.

Notes

  • The example generates ~200 files, including large meshes and result files.
  • Typical outputs include a blade mass of ~57,321 kg and volume of ~66.38 m³.
  • 2D analysis covers ~13 radial positions with convergence residuals (e.g., 1.77e-05).
  • 3D FEA uses ~11,682 elements and solves in ~70 seconds per load case.
  • Visualize results with Paraview or similar tools.

For troubleshooting, verify file paths, YAML syntax, and dependency installations. See Usage for more details.