4.7.2. Running BeamDyn

This section discusses how to obtain and execute BeamDyn from a personal computer. Both the stand-alone version and the FAST-coupled version of the software are considered.

4.7.2.1. Downloading the BeamDyn Software

There are two forms of the BeamDyn software to choose from: stand-alone and coupled to the FAST simulator. Although the user may not necessarily need both forms, he/she would likely need to be familiar with and run the stand-alone model if building a model of the blade from scratch. The stand-alone driver is also helpful for model troubleshooting, even if the goal is to conduct aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulations of onshore/offshore wind turbines within FAST.

4.7.2.2. Running BeamDyn

4.7.2.2.1. Running the Stand-Alone BeamDyn Program

The stand-alone BeamDyn program, BeamDyn_Driver.exe, simulates static and dynamic responses of the user’s input model, without coupling to FAST. Unlike the coupled version, the stand-alone software requires the use of a driver file in addition to the primary and blade BeamDyn input files. This driver file specifies inputs normally provided to BeamDyn by FAST, including motions of the blade root and externally applied loads. Both the BeamDyn summary file and the results output file are available when using the stand-alone BeamDyn (see Section Output Files for more information regarding the BeamDyn output files).

Run the stand-alone BeamDyn software from a DOS command prompt by typing, for example:

>BeamDyn_Driver.exe Dvr_5MW_Dynamic.inp

where, Dvr_5MW_Dynamic.inp is the name of the BeamDyn driver input file, as described in Section BeamDyn Driver Input File.

4.7.2.2.2. Running BeamDyn Coupled to FAST

Run the coupled FAST software from a command prompt by typing, for example:

>openfast.exe Test26.fst

where Test26.fst is the name of the primary FAST input file. This input file has a feature switch to enable or disable the BeamDyn capabilities within FAST, and a corresponding reference to the BeamDyn input file. See the documentation supplied with FAST for further information.