White coal and pump failures: how can we keep our hydraulic structures in good shape?

Julien Baroth (IUT1 - GCCD) and Rafaël Estevez (IUT1 - GMP)
Scientific and technical culture
Julien Baroth (IUT1 - GCCD) and Rafaël Estevez (IUT1 - GMP), researchers in probabilistic mechanics and materials mechanics respectively, presented their research as part of the "Mais que cherche mon prof?" (What is my teacher looking for?) flash conferences.
They have pooled their expertise within the Medelia chair. Their goal: to help manufacturers better anticipate fatigue in mechanically welded structures. These structures, which may develop cracks, must be closely monitored to ensure their safety and mechanical integrity over time—in other words, to estimate their remaining service life. Their research has become strategically important in the context of monitoring old structures, particularly in view of new constraints linked to climate change. They are attempting to answer the question of the risk and danger associated with cracks in large structures, such as dams, lock gates, and sluice gates, which are subject to repeated stress.

 
Updated on January 14, 2026