At IRDL, Leïla Salomon developed a numerical simulation tool to study the behavior of floating structures in swell.
Leïla Salomon, chercheur·e au sein de IRDL (Institut National Polytechnique de Bretagne).
Thèse soutenue en 2023 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.
Leïla Salomon's thesis, titled "Numerical Simulation of Free Surface Flows using the Finite Element Method", addresses a crucial topic for the maritime industry, a vital sector for the global economy, but particularly for coastal countries like those in West Africa. Indeed, the ability to accurately simulate the behavior of ships in challenging maritime conditions is essential for optimizing the design and safety of floating structures. The digital tools developed in this research aim to overcome the limitations of existing methods, particularly those based on Finite Volume formulations, which suffer from constraints in terms of accuracy and computation time.
The Finite Element Method, coupled with a Level-Set approach, allows for more efficient modeling of fluid flows. This advancement is particularly relevant in the context of West Africa, where maritime conditions can be unpredictable, with often violent waves and complex marine currents. The ports in this region, such as those in Cotonou, Benin, or Dakar, Senegal, often face challenges related to swell and storms, making numerical simulation all the more crucial.
Preliminary results from the thesis indicate that swell resistance can reach 40% of the total resistance in rough conditions. This underscores the importance of accurate modeling for the design of maritime structures, as a poor assessment of this resistance can lead to additional costs and increased risks. For example, errors in the design of a quay can not only delay port operations but also cause significant material damage or even loss of life.
The practical implications of this research go beyond merely improving simulation tools. By integrating advanced methods, it is possible to optimize ship design, enhance safety, and increase the performance of floating structures. This could transform current practices in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and offer innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the maritime industry. For instance, better simulation could enable the design of lighter and faster ships, thereby reducing fuel consumption and the carbon footprint of the maritime industry.
It is also recommended to promote the use of the Finite Element Method within the CFD community. This could encourage a wider adoption of these digital tools, allowing industry players to benefit from greater accuracy in their simulations. At the same time, the development of digital tools tailored to swell resistance is crucial to meet the specific needs of the maritime industry in West Africa. Local companies could thus better anticipate maritime conditions and make informed decisions regarding the design and operation of their vessels.
In summary, this thesis is not limited to an academic advancement, but it opens concrete perspectives for the maritime industry, particularly in regions where environmental and technological challenges are pressing. The results of this research could also serve as a basis for international collaborations, allowing researchers and practitioners from various countries to share their knowledge and collectively improve maritime safety.
Thus, the impact of Leïla Salomon's thesis could be felt not only within universities and research laboratories but also in shipyards, ports, and maritime administrations. Ultimately, the numerical simulation of free surface flows using the Finite Element Method could well become an indispensable tool for ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations in a constantly evolving global context.
Données clés
- 40% : La résistance due à la houle peut atteindre jusqu'à 40% de la résistance totale dans des conditions maritimes agitées.
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Sources et accès
Leïla Salomon. Simulation numérique d’écoulements à surface libre avec la Méthode des Eléments-Finis. Milieux fluides et réactifs. École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées Bretagne, 2023. Français. ⟨NNT : 2023ENTA0013⟩. ⟨tel-04746806⟩