A Knowledge-based Tool for Risk Prevention on Pressure Equipments

Process plants design, construction, and operation of major equipments are ruled by standards and
engineering codes, which are intended to assure reliability and safety. In the case of pressure vessels
these rules are aimed at guaranteeing the stability under required pressure and temperature
conditions. In this paper we exploit the most advanced capabilities of CAD systems, in order to
support safety rules compliance of pressure equipments during the design and verification activities.
We present a knowledge-based tool supporting the appropriate safety normative since the first
stages of the design process of pressure vessels, and the a posteriori normative verification required
for certification purposes. The knowledge base of the tool has been formalized through the use of
ontology.