Computer-Aided Engineering Tools

AeroDyn is an aerodynamics software library (module) for use by designers of horizontal-axis wind turbines. It is written to be interfaced with a number of dynamics analysis software packages (such as FAST, ADAMS, SIMPACK, and FEDEM) for aero-elastic analysis of wind turbine models. AeroDyn and its downloadable user's guide assume the user is an experienced wind turbine aerodynamics and dynamics analyst.

The aerodynamics model in AeroDyn is a detailed analysis that includes blade-element/momentum theory (with modifications to improve accuracy in yawed flow), dynamic stall, and an optional dynamic inflow theory.

The AirfoilPrep preprocessor is available to create the input files for the aerodynamics tables in AeroDyn. TurbSim is also available to create full-field turbulence for use in AeroDyn.

You may download the following files from our server:

• AeroDyn Change Log (v13.00.02a-bjj, 38 KB, 22-February-2013)

  This is a list of changes made to the code. Look at this text file to see if we've made worthwhile changes since you received your previous version of AeroDyn. It is also included in the archive.

• AeroDyn User's Guide (v12.5, 441 KB, 24-December-2002)

  This is the AeroDyn User's Guide. It explains what AeroDyn does and how you can use it. It is also included in the archive. Note: Some of the recent changes to AeroDyn are not included in this guide; please also read the Addendum to the AeroDyn User's Guide .

• AeroDyn Theory Manual (Future version TBD, 1.2 MB, 6-December-2005)

  This is the AeroDyn Theory Manual. It describes the algorithms used in the code. Please note: The algorithms described in the manual are what we intend to have in the routines for a future release.

• AeroDyn Archives (v13.00.02a-bjj)
  • AeroDyn Archive for Windows (EXE 1.7 MB) (v13.00.02a-bjj, 23-February-2013)
  • AeroDyn Archive for Linux (tar.gz 1.7 MB) (v13.00.02a-bjj, 23-February-2013)

  Both AeroDyn archives contain the AeroDyn source code, change log, user's guide, and sample input files. If you want to compile the source code, you will also need to download and compile source code from NWTC Subroutine Library v1.07.00b-mlb and InflowWind v1.01.00b-bjj. The archive for Windows® is a self-extracting archive of AeroDyn for PCs. The archive for Linux is a compressed tar file.

• Addendum to the AeroDyn User's Guide

  Because we have not had the time to update the AeroDyn User's Guide, we have temporarily left AeroDyn v13.00.02a-bjj as an "alpha" version. We have created a document to guide you through the major changes in the updated code and to document the updated AeroDyn interface. We encourage you to read it.

If you want to refer to the AeroDyn website in a report, here is a reference you can use:

NWTC Computer-Aided Engineering Tools (AeroDyn by David J. Laino, Ph.D.). http://wind.nrel.gov/designcodes/simulators/aerodyn/. Last modified 23-February-2013; accessed 25-May-2013.

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AeroDyn, as used by FAST and ADAMS, was evaluated by Germanischer Lloyd WindEnergie and found suitable for "the calculation of onshore wind turbine loads for design and certification." Electronic versions of the issued certificate and report are available for viewing.