Finite element stress analysis of steel construction unit of an industrial process plant

Abstract

Specific structural elements of the process plant are the steel supporting structure, the piping system, and the pressure vessels. Accidents of these elements can lead to serious injuries, environmental disasters, or large economic losses. Stress and deformation analysis of structural elements is a common approach to protect the structure from breakage. In order to analyse stresses and strains the finite element method is used. While implementing this method it is necessary to correctly define the loads acting on the structure and geometric boundary conditions. Proper selection of finite elements for the discretization of geometry, density of finite element mesh, and level of geometry details to be modelled are essential elements for successful numerical calculations of strain and stress fields. In the thesis, the finite element analysis of static stresses and deformations of the structural steel elements of the process plant is performed by the proposal of the company in which the topic is implemented. The analysed structures are steel supporting structures of the industrial Catalytic reformer furnace in operational conditions. The results of the preformed analysis are values of maximum strain and stresses, deformation scale of the examined structures, etc. This analysis is referred to the new structure that needs to be defined and the outcome of the analysis is detail stress-stain report of examined structures with interpretation of the results and assessment of the steel structures safety.