THERMAL-FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION OF TURBULENT FLOW IN A CIRCULAR PIPING SYSTEM WITH U-BEND

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of the governing parameters on the thermal stresses and deformations in the U-bend piping system. The mathematical models are solved numerically for the turbulent water flow through both copper and aluminum pipes with a wide range of Reynolds number, outlet gauge pressure, and temperature. The maximum value of the Nusselt number is calculated at the outer surface and after the exit from the U-bend. The maximum deformation is found at the outer surface in the middle of the U-bend due to the combined thermal and pressure loads. The results are presented for the deformations and the equivalent stresses under various operation conditions. It is found that the maximum equivalent stresses are generated on the inner side of the U-bend with higher values in the cases of the flow with maximum values of Reynolds number, outlet pressure, and temperature difference.