Outermost tubes buckling as per UHX 14.5.9

[jbesson]

Hy Buddies,

I'm designing an STHE and calculation oblige me to add a tube support plate in the inlet nozzle area of the shell because of outermost tubes buckling as per UHX 14.5.9.
That being said the thermal's Guy ask for an opening in the center of this support plate to improve fluid circulation. Does ASME define the limit of influence of buckling, because I've no idea on the size of opening I'm allowed to do ?

 

[SnTMan]

jbesson, seems Part UHX does not define "outermost". The joys.

See if your thermal guy will let you go two or three times the inlet nozzle area, assuming the proportions are suitable.

Regards,

Mike

 

[SnTMan]

Afterthought. Assume "outermost" means what it says, and support about three outside rows.

 

[jbesson]

Thank, I past to your opinion.
It's a tough question, I asked to other people also, I'll write the differents advices.