Multiscale structural analysis of oil rig mast using mean fields and finite element method

To improve the operational load capacity of an oil and gas production rig, the yield stress of its mast manufactured with a composite made of a metal matrix and randomly distributed spherical inclusions will be studied. The matrix is isotropic and yields according to von Mises criterion. The inclusions are isotropic, perfectly embedded in the matrix and exhibit linear elastic behavior. The Mori-Tanaka homogenization scheme will be used to obtain the effective elastic properties. Due to the complexity of the microstructure of the composite, the effective properties obtained through the micromechanics of mean fields will be used to obtain the overall behavior of the structure of the mast through the finite element method (FEM) at a low computational cost. The mast load capacity results using only the metal matrix were compared with the results using the composite. In this analysis, using the composite consisting of 30% titanium diboride (TiB2) embedded in an ASTM 500 grade C structural steel matrix, an increase in the mast yield and buckling safety coefficient of 16.26% and 8.56%, respectively, was observed.

Automated summary

Investigated the yield stress of the mast of an oil and gas production rig, which is manufactured with a composite material made of a metal matrix and randomly distributed spherical inclusions. Used the Mori-Tanaka homogenization scheme to obtain effective elastic properties and analyzed the overall behavior of the mast using the finite element method. Results showed that using the composite material increased the mast yield and buckling safety coefficient by 16.26% and 8.56% respectively, compared to using only the metal matrix.