A Review of Acoustic Vibration Criteria Compared to In-Service Experience With Steam Generator In-Line Tube Banks

Tube banks of operating steam generators were evaluated for resonant acoustic vibration in the transverse acoustic mode, using a number of published vibration criteria and a range of Strouhal numbers. Theoretical predictions based on computer simulations were compared to available experimental data for nonvibrating and vibrating banks. It is shown that large differences exist among the predictive methods, and most do not fully predict acoustic resonances. On a relative basis, prediction criteria of Y. N. Chen and Grotz and Arnold, with Fitzhugh-Strouhal numbers, offer the best results for steam generator tube banks.