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Why are low-pressure steam-turbine blades twisted?

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Rows of white wind turbines with spinning blades stand on a dry, grassy landscape at a wind farm near Tehachapi, California. — turbine Wind turbines near Tehachapi, California.

Low-pressure steam-turbine blades are twisted to accommodate the significant variation in tangential velocity along the length of the blade. Because the tangential velocity of the blade is much smaller near the hub than at the tip, while the axial through-flow velocity remains nearly constant, the blades must be twisted to ensure the correct approach angle for the incoming steam.1

This design is essential for maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and matching the flow conditions across the entire length of the blade. Additionally, this shaping helps the blades avoid potential resonant vibrations, which is a critical requirement given the large length of low-pressure blading.1