Stress analysis and fatigue life prediction for a U-bend steam generator tube Original Research Article

An analysis is carried out to determine the stresses in a steam generator tube that failed by fatigue. Using data available for the failed tube and for failures in two similar steam generators, the magnitudes of the alternating and mean stresses produced during operation are estimated. The cause for the early failure is shown to be the high mean stress caused by denting of the tube in the location where it passed through the tube sheet.