DNV is launching a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop a Recommended Practice for defects and damage in composite structures and components.

This will initially be based on existing knowledge drawn from various industries using large-scale structures made of composites, ranging from naval ships to aircraft. The Recommended Practice will contain a catalogue of production defect types and observed in-service damage. Further, the document will show how production defects can be minimised and how their consequences, and those of in-service damage, can be assessed and mitigated. A further step is to develop a systematic approach for ensuring an adequate level of damage tolerance of wind turbine blades by a combination of material selection, structural design, production process control, testing and inspection.