Structural analysis of embedded hollow tubes on straight and curved platforms under thermal loads

Abstract

Tube systems are widely used in heat transfer and intensive research is being done on positioning tubes on a platform. The platform structure is constantly exposed to thermal changes under operating conditions and the resulting stresses cause damage to existing systems. In this study, 8 thin-walled tubes were positioned on flat and curved platforms that were widely used and the stress behavior under thermal effects was investigated. Finite element analysis was used, and steady-state thermal condition was considered in the numerical investigation. The effects of temperature difference between platform surfaces and the thermal conductivity at the tube surfaces were investigated. It has been determined that the stress on the platform is higher than the stress on the tubes and the increase in the temperature difference on the platform surfaces increases the stress drastically. The increased thermal conductivity coefficient on the tube surface reduced the stresses on the platform and increased fatigue performance. Flat platform has lower contact pressure and platform stresses and better fatigue behavior. Results are discussed in detail.

Keywords

• Stress
• Temperature
• Thermal
• Tubes

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