SIMULATION OF TUBE BUNDLE VIBRATIONS INDUCED BY CROSS-FLOW

Abstract A two-dimensional simulation model for flow-induced vibrations of tube bundles subjected to single-phase cross-flow is applied on six different bundles at realistic Reynolds numbers. The calculation scheme solves the unsteady Navier–Stokes equations, including turbulence modelling. Fluid forces, tube acceleration, tube velocity and tube displacements are computed after each time step due to the current flow field. The bundles are square and 30°-arrangements, with pitch-to-diameter ratios of 1·2 up to 2·4. The point of resonance or instability is determined by increasing the approach velocity step by step. The results are analysed and compared with experimental data and with design criteria proposed in the literature.