The quick load assessment is an optometric analysis to compare the deflection of wind turbine blades. To determine the deflection, it does not need detailed knowledge of the geometry of the blades since it provides an independent scaling (deflection in meter) method.

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It was initially developed to prove that blades from different manufacturers in one rotor set will lead to different deflection and therefore cause potentially severe aerodynamic unbalance.

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There were also two other reasons for developing the procedure.

Firstly, Early proof of suspected delamination after a lightning strike. Secondly, to pick a representative set of blades from a selection of turbines to install load-strain gauge measurements on a type turbine in an early stage of a serial type turbine.

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The key benefit is that all three blades are observed continuously and synchronously!

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Important areas of observation are when the blade is spinning up with the wind (decreased effective wind speed), the blade at the top ( highest vertical wind speed), and the blade spinning down against the wind (highest effective windspeed).

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Although the blade will also be observed when passing the tower, this is mainly of secondary or third interest since the airflow will be disturbed. The position in front of the tower can cause random effects.

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The procedure is patented in the USA and Canada.

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