Functionally graded material and its application to marine structures

Abstract

Marine structures are exposed to harsh weather conditions, demanding special pre-requisites in design and functional perspectives. Under dynamic loads of larger magnitude, the material-centric design procedure alone is not feasible to ensure the safe disbursement of loads. The compliant offshore structures resist loads primarily by their geometric novelty, and hence their design is form-dominant and no more strength (material) dominant. Large displacements in the rigid body modes in the horizontal plane under lateral loads require their construction material to possess enough ductility to absorb this energy. Steel is one of the most competitive materials for marine structures as it offers good ductility, but corrosion in the marine environment is a major concern. It undergoes strength and functional degradations and therefore requires serious investigation. In the present study, functionally graded material (FGM) is proposed to substitute for steel in marine applications. The method of fabricating FGM and assessing its mechanical and durability properties are discussed. Results show that FGM possesses strength and durability properties at par with the conventionally used X52 steel for marine risers. The presented study will be a major initiative towards future research in exploring competent materials which will be strong and sustainable in the marine environment.