Bend radius, pass arrangement, baffle spacing and unsupported span. The geometry that decides how much surface fits in the shell and whether the bundle survives flow-induced vibration.
One tubesheet is the U-tube's defining feature and its single most critical joint. Rolled, seal-welded, strength-welded, or a double tubesheet with a vented interspace.
304L and 316L cover most duty. Duplex, Alloy 20, Hastelloy, AL-6XN, titanium and copper-nickel exist for the services that eat stainless, and the U-bend affects which of them you can use.
ASME Section VIII, TEMA class R, C or B, 3-A for sanitary work, ASME BPE for pharmaceutical, plus API 660, PED and Canadian CRN when the site requires them.