Evaluation of the Integrity of Steam Generator Tubes Subjected to Flow Induced Vibrations

Flow-induced vibrations (FIV) continue to affect the operations of nuclear power plant components such as heat exchanger tube bundles. The negative effect of FIV is in the form of tube fatigue, cracking, and fretting wear at the supports. Fretting wear at the supports is the result of tube/support impact and friction. Fluidelastic and turbulence forces are the two main excitation mechanisms that feed energy into the system causing these violent …