This study presented a failure analysis of a 52.3 m composite wind turbine blade
under static loading. Complex failure characteristics exhibited at the transition region of
the blade were thoroughly examined and typical failure modes were indentified. In order to
predict multiple failure modes observed in the tests and gain more insights into the failure
mechanisms of the blade, a Finite Element (FE) simulation was performed using a
global-local modeling approach and Progressive Failure Analysis (PFA) techniques which
took into account material failure and property degradation. Failure process and failure
characteristics of the transition region were satisfactorily reproduced in the simulation, and
it was found that accumulated delamination in spar cap and shear web failure at the
transition region were the main reasons for the blade to collapse. Local buckling played an
important role in the failure process by increasing local out-of-plane deformation, while the
Brazier effect was found not to be responsible for the blade failure.