The influence of fire on the design of polymer composite pipes and panels for offshore structures

Dewhurst, D

Abstract

Stainless and other high quality steels are used extensively in the topside
construction of oil rigs. Steel is heavy, expensive and even the special grades
are prone to corrosion in the aggressive marine environment. New materials
are needed which are lighter, more cost effective and free from corrosion
related problems. Glass fibre reinforced plastics (GRP) have the required
properties but their performance in fire conditions is not known.
Fire is a very real and possibly catastrophic threat. Before specifying the use
of GRP components it is essential to quantify their reaction to fire. Panels and
pipes to be used in fire risk areas were the components of interest, and the
objectives of the research, based on experimental testing, were as follows:
1) To evaluate GRP laminates for use as structural panel skins, noting their
structural and fire performance.
2)To develop incombustible, low cost cores for sandwich panels.
3) To produce sandwich panel design proposals which satisfy specified fire
exposure requirements.
4)To assess the fire performance of empty and dry, stagnant water filled
and flowing water filled polymer composite pipes with or without fire
protection.
5) To use finite difference modelling as part of the design process for fire
exposed pipes and panels. Factors of water content for hygroscopic
cores and the ablation mechanism of fire exposed GRP were taken
account of.
6) To assess the validity of the standard furnace fire resistance test with
respect to combustible materials, and with respect to the reproducibility
of results between different furnace arrangements.

Citation

Dewhurst, D. The influence of fire on the design of polymer composite pipes and panels for offshore structures. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1997