In this study, axial stiffness analysis of corrugated tubes was carried out numerically and experimentally. By performing axial loading-displacement analysis, a so-called stiffness weakness factor Kf for the corrugated tube was proposed and formulated. Both corrugated and smooth double-tube heat exchangers were designed and tested under thermal loadings. Results show that the proposed formula for the stiffness weakness factor Kf is accurate enough for the engineering application of the corrugated tubes in constructing heat exchangers.

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