Investigating the Natural Frequency and Deflection of Vortex Bladeless Wind Turbines: An ANSYS and MATLAB Study

Abstract

Vortex bladeless wind turbines operate through oscillatory motion instead of rotating blades, offering significant reductions in cost, maintenance needs, and environmental impact. Yet, their structural behavior under wind loading—especially regarding natural frequency and deflection—remains insufficiently examined. This study investigates natural frequency, maximum deflection, and overall structural performance by analyzing the effects of mast length and material type. Model accuracy is evaluated by comparing MATLAB analytical calculations with ANSYS numerical simulations; a three-dimensional finite element model was developed in ANSYS using Bernoulli–Euler beam theory to simulate dynamic loading, supported by MATLAB computations that incorporate geometry, material properties, and wind-induced forces. Mast lengths of 2500 mm, 3000 mm, and 3500 mm were assessed with a fixed rod length of 800 mm using E-glass and S-glass materials. The results show that maximum displacement consistently occurs near the fixed rod region, with E-glass displaying greater stiffness and lower deflection compared to S-glass. Increasing mast length raises applied forces from approximately 75 N to 105 N, producing larger deformation. The strong consistency between MATLAB and ANSYS outcomes confirms the reliability of the employed model. These findings support improved material selection, optimized mast configuration, and informed structural design for future bladeless vortex wind turbine applications.