Estimate equation bending thickness from an edge-condition factor, effective loaded diameter, design pressure, ligament efficiency and allowable stress.

Simplified bending relation only. F, G, pressure, efficiency and allowable stress must come from the applicable design method. This is not an ASME/TEMA compliance check or a finished pressure-vessel design.

Use the configuration-specific diameter from the applicable method.

Use 75% or 0.75 fraction for the same efficiency.

Related Calculators

How to Use the Tube Sheet Thickness Calculator

This tool evaluates a traditional tubesheet bending relation. It does not perform a complete pressure-equipment design or an ASME/TEMA compliance check. A qualified engineer must determine the applicable method and inputs and check other loads, shear, rim/flange behavior, tube joints, minimum thickness and allowances. The result may be displayed in mm or inches.

Equation

T = (F × G) / (3)√((P) / (n × S))

T = effective equation bending thickness; F = method-specific edge-condition factor; G = configuration-dependent effective loaded diameter (not universally gasket diameter); P = applicable design pressure; n = ligament efficiency as a fraction; S = allowable stress at design metal temperature. Pressure and stress must use compatible units.

Inputs at a Glance

Symbol Meaning Format / Units
FEdge-condition factorUnitless
GEffective loaded diametermm or in
PDesign pressurebar or psi
nLigament efficiencySelect percent or fraction; 75% = 0.75 fraction
SAllowable stress at design temperatureMPa or ksi
TCalculated thicknessShown in mm
Reference for table content: ([calculator.academy](https://calculator.academy/tube-sheet-thickness-calculator/))

Calculation Steps

  1. Enter the correction factor F.
  2. Enter the configuration-specific effective loaded diameter G.
  3. Enter the design pressure P.
  4. Enter ligament efficiency n with its selected unit: 75% or 0.75 fraction. The calculator converts it to a fraction.
  5. Enter allowable stress S and calculate T.
Reference for steps: ([calculator.academy](https://calculator.academy/tube-sheet-thickness-calculator/))

Example

Input Value
F1.0
G400 mm
P25 bar = 2.5 MPa
n0.75
S150 MPa
T = (1.0 × 400) / (3)√((2.5) / (0.75 × 150))
T ≈ 19.88 mm
Reference for example values and result: ([calculator.academy](https://calculator.academy/tube-sheet-thickness-calculator/))

Quick Checks

  • Keep pressure and stress in compatible units.
  • If ligament efficiency is entered as a percent, convert it to decimal form in the equation.
  • From the equation, larger F, larger G, or larger P increase thickness.
  • From the equation, larger n or larger S reduce the required thickness.
Reference and formula-based inference: ([calculator.academy](https://calculator.academy/tube-sheet-thickness-calculator/))