Current products

Bladed Knowledge Centre Downloads Current products

The latest release of each currently-supported product is listed below.

Bladed 4.18

Bladed calculations on Windows 64-bit

The calculation code for Bladed (dtbladed.exe) is now available as a Windows 64-bit distribution. This allows the calculation to access more memory, and brings compatibility with other 64-bit tools.

The 64-bit version enables more complex models to be simulated such as linearisation calculations with unsteady aerodynamics, offshore jacket models with many members, and calculation of floating turbine second order hydrodynamic loads with large SEA files.

Furthermore, Bladed can now be used for co-simulation with 64-bit versions of tools like MoorDyn and OrcaFlex.

Campbell Diagram and Linearisation upgrades

The Campbell Diagram and Linearisation calculations have been updated to:

• Achieve ~40% faster Campbell Diagram and Linearisation calculations with smaller output files.
• Calculate Campbell Diagrams at multiple azimuth angles with automatic averaging of A matrices. This allows effects such as gravity to be included in the analysis.
• Calculate coupled mode contributions in the Campbell Diagram using potential and kinetic energy for clearer results interpretation.

Other features

Users will also find several minor improvements available in this version:

• Enhanced Integration with Sesam Floating Wind Workflows
• Improved Drivetrain Damping Approach

Bladed 4.18 is a "long-term support" version of Bladed. This means that it will receive bug fixes for at least 2 years from initial release. Learn more about the Bladed support policy.

Bladed 4.16

Bladed 4.16 introduces new features to support design and analysis of very large turbines. Support for floating turbines on Linux is added, alongside other minor changes.

Example converter tool for blade 6x6 matrices to Bladed format

Bladed 4.16 includes a Python code example for converting blade definitions using cross-sectional 6x6 stiffness and mass matrices to Bladed format input. This allows for property definition at any reference location including cross-coupling terms. Read the online documentation.

New reference turbine model IEA-22-280-RWT

The IEA Wind Task 55 released a 22MW reference turbine, IEA-22-280-RWT, in January 2024. The Bladed model of this turbine is available with Bladed 4.16 along with a verification report.

Generation of larger wind turbulence box and improvement to Mann model accuracy

To accommodate a larger rotor plane and tower without compromising resolution, the "windnd" application has been upgraded to a 64-bit version. This permits larger wind turbulence boxes for dynamic simulation, overcoming the previous limitation of a 50 x 50 grid. Additionally, the 64-bit version accommodates up to 128 FFT points for the Mann model, enhancing the precision of the velocity spectra and its coherence with the theoretical model.

Example co-simulation link between Bladed and OrcaFlex (from Bladed 4.16.1)

This link enables a co-simulation of the RNA and tower in Bladed and the platform and moorings in OrcaFlex. The link is intended to help different design stakeholders to collaborate by using a unified coupled analysis model in their floating wind project. Read the online documentation.

Floating simulations can be run on Linux

The Linux version of Bladed 4.16 now supports calculations for floating models. Floating time domain simulations can be time-consuming, so using Linux on cloud computing can be a cost-effective solution.

Webinar

Watch our webinar to learn more about large turbine modelling improvements in Bladed 4.16.

Bladed 4.14

Bladed 4.14 provides users with new aerodynamic and hydrodynamic models for more accurate modelling of large blade stability and floating turbines, alongside several other small improvements.

Improved modelling of aerodynamic deep stall

Stall behaviour is key for determining aerodynamic damping when evaluating blade stability, for example in standstill load cases. An improved dynamic stall model named “IAG dynamic stall model” has been developed, with improved accuracy for stall hysteresis in deep stall. Full model validation details can be found in this recent paper.

Second order hydrodynamic loading for floating turbines

For floating wind turbines, second order hydrodynamic loading can have important implications for the platform mean position, tower base loads and mooring design. It is now possible to include the calculation of second order hydrodynamic loads in steady and time domain calculations using quadratic transfer function data computed by flow solvers such as WADAM, WAMIT and AQWA.

Other minor features

A pitch schedule for initial conditions has been added, and a new blade User Axis load system is available.

Webinar

Watch our webinar to learn more about the new features and improvements in Bladed 4.14.