The Philippine Agricultural Mechanization Journal is published quarterly by the Agricultural Mechanization Development Program, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Banos

The Philippine Agricultural Mechanization Journal is a non-refereed journal which aims to serve as a national venue for the dissemination of information on recent research and development in the field of agricultural mechanization, agricultural engineering and related fields.

Similitude Requirements and Scaling Relationships as Applied to Model Testing of Windrotors

Delfin C. Suministrado

ABSTRACT

The theory of similitude as applied to modeling of windrotors is presented in this paper. It demonstrates the method of dimensional analysis using Buckingham Pi Theorem to determine the conditions of similarity of windrotor models and prototypes. It explains the applications of the derived conditions of similarity to be able to conduct laboratory performance testing and evaluation of windrotor models and predict performance of fabricated and installed prototypes. Research work involving tests of horizontal and vertical axis windrotor models conducted by different researchers are also discussed.

Keywords: similitude, modeling of windrotors, windrotor, wind energy

Professor, Agricultural Machinery Division, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Banos, Philippines.

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The Managing Editor

AMDP, IAE, CEAT

University of the Philippines Los Banos

College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

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