U Tube bend: -

1. U tube thickness before bending must be greater than minimum thickness calculated by codes
to accommodate thickness allowance.
2. Thickness shall be verified per formula given in clause RCB-2.3.1
3. Flattening at the bend shall not exceed 10% of nominal diameter.
a. Flattening is a phenomenon, where cross section at bend after bending operation is no
longer circular.
b. Circular cross section becomes oval, also called as ovality.
c. Nomenclature: -
i. Minimum OD: - width (measurement) of cross section.
ii. Maximum OD: - height (measurement) of section.
iii. % ovality or flattening: - ((Max OD-Min OD)/nominal OD)*100

d. Flattening phenomenon is greatly affected by bend radius and nominal OD of tube.

e. As per TEMA, if for tube bends with bend radius R < 2do, flattening may exceed 10%.
f. Per above statement lesser is the bend radius more is the flattening.
g. Also if material is less ductile, then tube will fail during bending, TEMA suggest special
consideration may require to less ductile material.
4. Heat treatment: -
a. S&T heat exchanger specification document (STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR U TUBES)
highlight the requirement of post bending heat treatment based on bend radius and
tube OD.
b. It also tells us about heat treat requirement for straight portion of U tube bend.