Wind Turbine Blade Optical HEalth Monitoring (BOHEM)

This project will develop a novel wind turbine blade structural health monitoring system based on digital

cameras and image processing using an array of optical markers installed inside the blade. An optical system

will be designed, and a digital image correlation technique will be used to track the markers which will

characterise the dynamics of the blade during operation for both onshore and offshore wind turbines. The

output data will be used to characterise the blade structural condition by monitoring changes in properties in

real time in all weather and all operational conditions. For the feasibility study the layout of camera,

illumination and markers will be optimised for a real blade using the design geometry and structural properties

and proven in a state-of-the-art 7MW wind turbine