Within IRDL, Gwladys Belone has developed simplified methods for sizing pressure equipment.
Gwladys Belone, chercheur·e au sein de IRDL (Institut National Polytechnique de Bretagne).
Thèse soutenue en 2025 à l'école doctorale École doctorale Sciences pour l'ingénieur et le numérique.
Référencée dans le réseau ABES/STAR, cette thèse répond aux critères de rigueur de l'enseignement supérieur français.
The buckling of pressure equipment (ESP) represents a major issue for industrial safety, and it is crucial to understand the implications of this phenomenon. Shell-type structures, often used in this equipment, are particularly vulnerable to failures due to compressive stresses. These failures can have disastrous consequences, both for human safety and for the environment. For example, an accident involving a gas storage tank can lead to explosions, toxic leaks, and significant economic losses. It is therefore imperative to develop sizing methods that comprehensively account for these risks.
Current sizing methods, although present, do not always take into account geometric imperfections. These imperfections, which can arise from manufacturing errors or degradation over time, can lead to erroneous risk assessments. Indeed, a slightly deformed shell can see its buckling resistance significantly decrease, making the equipment more susceptible to failure under pressure. Gwladys Belone's thesis proposes a significant advancement in this field by developing calculation methods that incorporate these often-overlooked effects, thus offering a more realistic and secure approach.
The author conducted a state of the art review of the current standards, notably those of CODAP, to identify the gaps in existing methods. This thorough analysis highlighted the shortcomings of traditional approaches, which often rely on simplifying assumptions. Based on this analysis, a mathematical model was developed to address the issue of elastoplastic buckling. This model has been integrated into a calculation tool using EXCEL/VBA, thereby facilitating the evaluation of buckling scenarios and critical pressures. The results obtained show that these new methods improve the safety of ESP, providing strategic recommendations for their sizing.
The integration of this tool into industrial practices is strongly recommended. Indeed, a systematic assessment of buckling risks could contribute to better management of pressure equipment, thereby reducing the risks of industrial accidents. For example, in the oil sector, where pressure equipment is ubiquitous, the application of these new methods could prevent major incidents, thus protecting workers and the environment. This research is not limited to a simple theoretical advancement; it proposes practical solutions tailored to the contemporary challenges of the sector.
The implications of this thesis go beyond merely improving calculation methods. They touch on the safety of metal infrastructures, a crucial issue for the industry. In West Africa, where industrial development is rapidly expanding, it is essential to adopt rigorous safety standards. Countries in the region, such as Benin, must prepare to integrate these new approaches into their regulations to ensure the safety of industrial installations.
It is imperative that stakeholders in the sector take these new recommendations into account. The implementation of these methods could transform the way pressure equipment is designed and evaluated, thus ensuring better safety for users and reducing costs related to accidents. Decision-makers must therefore consider the integration of these tools into current construction standards and the necessity of training engineers in these new approaches.
In conclusion, Gwladys Belone's thesis represents a major advancement in the field of sizing pressure equipment. By integrating more precise calculation methods and taking into account geometric imperfections, this research paves the way for improved industrial safety. Stakeholders in the sector, whether decision-makers, engineers, or safety managers, must commit to adopting these new practices to ensure a safer and more sustainable future for the industry in West Africa and beyond.
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Sources et accès
Gwladys Belone. Contribution au dimensionnement au flambement des équipements sous pression par des méthodes simplifiées. Mécanique [physics.med-ph]. École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées, 2025. Français. ⟨NNT : 2025ESTA0010⟩. ⟨tel-05493743⟩