Abstract: A test apparatus for torsional testing of a wind turbine blade is provided. The apparatus includes a test stand for rigidly supporting the wind turbine blade; a load frame for mounting on the wind turbine blade at a testing position along the length of the blade; and an actuator connected to the load frame for twisting the blade via the load frame. The load frame includes an outer frame to which the actuator is connected and a profiled insert held within the outer frame and defining a profiled aperture corresponding to the profile of the blade at the testing position. The profiled insert encloses and is in direct contact with the outer surface of the blade over substantially the entire profile of the blade. A system and method of torsional testing of a wind turbine blade and a load frame for the test apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus (100) for fatigue testing a wind turbine blade specimen (10), and to a method using such an apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) comprises first and second support assemblies (120, 130) and an actuator (140) for cyclically deflecting the specimen (10) in a first transverse direction. The first and second support assemblies (120, 130) comprise first and second holders (121, 131) for holding first and second ends (12, 14) of the specimen (10), respectively, such that the longitudinal direction (16) of the specimen (10) extends between the first and second holders (121, 131). The first and second support assemblies (120, 130) are arranged such that the first and second holders (121, 131) are rotatable about a second transverse direction perpendicular to the first transverse direction and to the longitudinal direction (16) of the specimen (10).

Abstract: The application relates to a test apparatus (100) for torsional testing of a wind turbine blade (10). The test apparatus (100) includes a test stand (110) for rigidly supporting a root end of the wind turbine blade; a load frame (120) for mounting on the wind turbine blade at a testing position along the length of the wind turbine blade; and at least one actuator (130) connected to the load frame for twisting the wind turbine blade about its longitudinal axis via the load frame. The load frame (120) comprises an outer frame (122) to which the at least one actuator (130) is connected and a profiled insert (124) held within the outer frame and defining a profiled aperture substantially corresponding to the profile of the wind turbine blade at the testing position such that, in use, the profiled insert substantially encloses and is in direct contact with the outer surface of the blade over substantially the entire profile of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus (100) for fatigue testing a wind turbine blade specimen (10), and to a method using such an apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) comprises first and second support assemblies (120, 130) and an actuator (140) for cyclically deflecting the specimen (10) in a first transverse direction. The first and second support assemblies (120, 130) comprise first and second holders (121, 131) for holding first and second ends (12, 14) of the specimen (10), respectively, such that the longitudinal direction (16) of the specimen (10) extends between the first and second holders (121, 131). The first and second support assemblies (120, 130) are arranged such that the first and second holders (121, 131) are rotatable about a second transverse direction perpendicular to the first transverse direction and to the longitudinal direction (16) of the specimen (10).