Extending tennis ball lifetime through inner pressure control : modelling impact of pressure loss and repressurisation on mechanical response

Details

Supervisors

Pardoen, Thomas

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil mécanicien, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enTennis is one of the most popular sports worldwide, with approximately 100 million players. However, a significant environmental concern arises from the short lifespan of tennis balls, which are often discarded after only a few matches. In professional tournaments, balls are typically replaced after nine games, and even in recreational contexts, the turnover remains high, resulting in an estimated 300 million tennis balls discarded each year. To address this issue, the Belgian company Bounce Sport has developed two pressure retention systems, the Bounce Tube and the Bounce Pro, designed to extend the lifespan of tennis balls. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of these products through a combination of experimental testing and numerical modelling. A quasi-static finite element model was developed in ABAQUS to simulate ball compression using homogeneous material properties. Experimental data from compression tests were used to calibrate and validate the model. By correlating the force response, usage and storage time with internal pressure, a reliable pressure estimation method was established. This approach enables pressure loss over time to be reconstructed for different storage and usage conditions. Two modelling strategies were compared: one using a constant calibration slope, and another introducing variable sensitivity over time. The refined method provided better alignment with expected trends and allowed the formulation of predictive equations. The results demonstrate the potential of pressure-retention systems in significantly slowing or even reversing pressure loss. Practical pressure-rating scales and usage recommendations were developed to communicate the results clearly to end-users. This work highlights how numerical simulation combined with targeted experiments can support sustainable solutions in sports equipment design and usage