Expansion Joints

P. B. HIRAVE

When piping lacks inherent flexibility due to routing and/or develops large reactions or detrimental overstrain on the strain sensitive equipments, the Piping Engineer considers provision of expansion joints to overcome the same. Expansion joints are also provided to isolate the vibrating equipment from piping and also to facilitate free movement of the equipment mounted on load cells.

Slip type of expansion joints

Fig 2.1

The Point of usage could be identified as below At the suction and discharge nozzles of vibrating equipments such as pumps, blowers etc., On large diameter pipes and ducts operating at high temperatures but at lower pressures. In piping where the space is inadequate for conventional arrangement for providing flexibilities. It is not advisable to use the expansion joint in all piping systems. The major areas of applications where its use is not advisable are following piping systems. where hazardous chemicals are handled. where the service is high pressure. in which slurry or suspended solids are handled.

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
Based on the service for which the expansion joint is selected/used, the material of construction of the same is selected. Expansion joints are available in the following materials of construction. Rubber PTFE Canvas Metal

Types of Expansion Joint Movements

Axial Movement

Fig.5.1

Lateral Deflection

Fig. 5.2

Fig. 5.3

Angular Rotation

Fig. 5.4

Torsional Movement
IN ADDITION TO AXIAL, LATERAL AND ANGULAR MAVEMENTS, AN EXPANSION JOINT MAY BE SUBJECTED TO TORSIONAL MOTION OR TWISTING, TORSION IMPOSES SEVERE STRESSES ON THE EXPANSION JOINT AND ALL SUCH CASES SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER.

Fig. 5.5

COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.2

Bellow Tangent Collar Reinforcing Rings Lagging Shroud Internal Sleeves Limit Rods Tie Rods

Types of Expansion Joints

Shipping Devices Pantographic Linkages Axial Single /Double Universal Swing Hinged Gimbal Pressure Balanced Tied

AXIAL- SINGLE EXPANSION JOINT This is the simplest form of expansion joint of single bellows construction. It absorbs all of the movement of the pipe section into which it is installed. Fig. 7.1a

UNIVERSAL EXPANSION JOINT A universal expansion joint is one containing two bellows joined by a common connector for the purpose of absorbing any combination of three (3) basic movements. A universal expansion joint is used in cases where it is necessary to accommodate greater amounts of lateral movement than can be absorbed by a single expansion joint Fig. 7.2

DOUBLE EXPANSION JOINT A double expansion joint consists of two bellows jointed by a common connector which is anchored to some rigid part of the installation by means of an anchor base. The anchor base may be attached to the common connector either at installation or at the time of manufacturing. Each bellow of a double expansion joint functions independently as a single unit. Double bellow expansion joints should not be confused with universal expansion joints.

SWING EXPANSION JOINT A swing expansion joint is designed to absorb lateral deflection and/or angular rotation in one plane only by the use of swing bars, each of which is pinned at or near the ends of the unit.

HINGED EXPANSION JOINT A hinged expansion joint contains one bellow and is designed to permit angular rotation in one plane only by the use of a pair of pins running through plates attached to the expansion joints ends. Hinged expansion joints should be used in sets of 2 or 3 to function properly.

GIMBAL EXPANSION JOINT A gimbal expansion joint is designed to permit angular rotation in any plane by the use of two pairs of hinges affixed to a common floating gimbal ring.

PRESSURE BALANCED EXPANSION JOINT A pressure balanced expansion joint is designed to absorb axial movement and/or lateral deflection while restraining the bellows pressure thrust force by means of the devices interconnecting the flow bellow with an opposed bellow also subjected to line pressure. This type of joint is installed where a change of direction occurs in a run of pipe

Axial Expansion Joints Tied / Untied

Fig 9.2

Fig 9.3

Axial Expansion Joints Tied / Untied

Fig 9.4

Fig 9.5

Universal Expansion Joints

Fig 9.6

Fig 9.7

Universal Expansion Joints

Fig 9.9

Fig 9.8

Fig 9.10

Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints

Fig 9.11 Fig 9.12

Fig 9.13

Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints

Fig 9.15 Fig 9.14

Hinged Expansion Joints

Fig 9.16

Fig 9.18

Fig 9.17

Hinged Expansion Joints

Fig 9.19

Fig 9.20

Gimbal Expansion Joints

Fig 9.22

Fig 9.21

Selection Chart
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Type of Expansion Joint Axial Universal Swing Hinged Gimbal Pressure Balanced Tied Axial Lateral Angular Movemen Movemen Rotation t t Yes No No Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Eliminatio n of Pr. Thrust No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Glossary of terms

Pipe Anchor Main Anchor Intermediate Anchor Pipe Guides Directional Stop / Anchor Spring Rate Spring Force Pressure Thrust Cycle Life

Fig 8.1

Fig 9.1 Pipe guide location

SINGLE EXPANSION JOINT APPLICATION

FIG B.

DOUBLE EXPANSION JOINT APPLICATION

FIG C.

UNIVERSAL TIED APPLICATION

FIG F.

UNIVERSAL TIED APPLICATION (THREE PLANE)

FIG G.

Two Hinge Application

Fig. F

Three Hinge Application

Fig. H

Two Gimbal Application (Three Plane)

Fig. I

One Hingle / Two Gimbal Application (Three Plane)

Fig. J.

Pressure Balanced Application

Fig. M

Squirm or Buckle
Expansion joints in a system may squirm or buckle when subjected to high pressure. Bellows become laterally unstable and the suddenly squirm out ways thereby stretching and deforming configurations. Once squirm develops, bellow gets damaged. Meridional bulge come after the squirm failure. When stress reaches plastic range, the side wall bulges and the rate of deformation accelerates.Slight increase in pressure, ruptures the bellow.