potential for higher turbine efficiency at a reduced cost. This paper therefore overviews the
developments of KU Leuven models for mechanical properties relevant to wind turbine
blades, including fibre-hybridisation, size scaling effects, flexure, transverse cracking, stress
relaxation and fatigue. The strengths and limitations of the models will be highlighted with a
particular focus on relevance for wind turbine blades. While significant steps forward have …