U.S. Bellows, Inc.

presents:

U.S. Bellows 101:

Expansion Joint Basics

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www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Presentation Summary
Bellows Movement & Motion
Bellows Fabrication and Terminology
Expansion Joint Testing
Type and Applications of Expansion Joints
Expansion Joint Accessories

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Certifications & Manufacturing Facility

Certifications Manufacturing Facility

• EJMA Member

• ASME U-Stamp

• ASME R-Stamp

• ASME NS Certified

• ISO 9001:2008 Certified

• Minority Business Enterprise • Houston, Texas USA

(MBE) by City of Houston • 450,000 Square Feet of Covered
Shop Space on a 35 Acre
• Houston Minority Business
Property
Council (HMBC)
• Located Near the Port of Houston

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Expansion Joint Applications

▪ Fossil Fuel ▪ Chemical & ▪ Stationary Engine ▪ Pulp & Paper

Power Plant Petrochemical Exhaust

▪ Power ▪ Heat ▪ Municipal Water ▪ Aerospace Turbo

Exchangers Districts Engine Exhaust

▪ District ▪ FCC Units ▪ Waste Water ▪ Truck Exhaust

Energy Treatment

▪ Gas Turbines ▪ U.S. Navy ▪ Solid Waste ▪ Heavy Metal

Incineration
▪ Steam ▪ Kilns ▪ Environmental ▪ Marine Piping &
Distribution Applications Exhaust

▪ Geothermal ▪ Furnace Sealing

Power Plants Bags ▪ HVAC Building ▪ Liquefied Natural
Heating & Cooling Gas (LNG) Service
Systems
▪ Refinery ▪ Research &
Development

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Bellows Basics - Types of Movement

Axial Movement Lateral Movement

Angular Movement Torsional Movement

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Bellows Basics - Types of Bellows Motion

Gimbal Expansion Joint Expansion Joint Movement Tied Single Expansion Joint

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Bellows Basics - Types of Movements Cont.

Universal Expansion Joint

Tied Universal Expansion Joint

Hinged Universal Expansion Joint

Single Expansion Joint Slotted Hinged Expansion Joint

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Pipe Guide Spacing

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Installation, Anchoring and Guiding Instructions

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Bellows Basics

Bellows Material Types

Depending on the style or design of a bellows, wall thicknesses may
range from:

.010" TO .500" wall with varying

number of plies in the various alloys
• STAINLESS STEEL – T-321, T-316, L & H, T-304, L &H
• MONEL 400
• INCONEL 625
• INCONEL 625 LCF
• INCOLOY 800
• INCOLOY 825
• HASTELLOY C-276
• TITANIUM

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Bellows Basics - EJMA Standards

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Bellows Basics - Product Data Sheet

U.S. BELLOWS, INC.

PRODUCT ENGINEERING
Data Sheet

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Bellows Fabrication: Stage 1

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
– BUTT WELDED TUBE

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Bellows Fabrication: Stage 2

PUNCHING THE BELLOWS

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Bellows Fabrication: Stage 3

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Bellows Basics

INSIDE DIAMETER OUTSIDE DIAMETER WALL THICKNESS

PITCH LIVE-LENGTH OF
BELLOWS

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Bellows Basics

EFFECTIVE AREA
• IT IS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE AREA OF A CIRCLE LYING
HALFWAY BETWEEN THE CONVOLUTION’S INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
DIAMETERS.
• USED TO CALCULATE END THRUST LOAD WHICH WILL BE
PRODUCED.

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Bellows Basics

SPRING RATE
• THE LOAD IN POUNDS REQUIRED TO COMPRESS A BELLOWS
ONE INCH (lb/in).

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Value-Added Services

Performance Assurance Program

• Hydrostatic Testing
Burst Test
• Magnetic Particle
• Ultrasonic
• Cycle Test
• Burst Test
• Helium Leak Detection
• Liquid Penetrant
• Inspection
Dye Penetration Testing
• Radiography Test
• Positive Material
• Identification (PMI) Test
• Pneumatic Testing
• Spring Rate Testing
• Fatigue Testing

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Value-Added Services

Stresses

Temperature Change

Repetitive Mechanical
Movements

Vibrations

Cycle Test on a 12" diameter A240-321SS Bellows with 8 convolutions.

The bellows has met the EMJA cycle life calculation of 1,000 cycles and
failed in the root of the convolutions at 1,285 cycles.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Single

Single Expansion Joints

This expansion joint is simply a bellows element with end connections. Regardless of accessories,
such as liners and covers, it will deflect in any direction or plane that the bellows will. It is the least
expensive type, but requires that the piping be controlled as to the direction of the movements
required of the unit.

12" Diameter Single Tied

Expansion Joints Fabricated from
Stainless Steel

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Types of Expansion Joints - Single

The expansion joint should not be expected to control the movement of the pipe. If the piping analysis
shows that the expansion joint must accept axial compression, then the piping must be guided and
constrained so that only that movement will occur.

Single Weld End Single Flanged End Single Flanged Weld End
* Data tables for single expansion joints can be found in our online catalog: usbellows.com/data

76" Diameter Single Tied Expansion Joint A Metal Cover was Installed to Allow Hot Air to
Fabricated from Stainless Steel for a Hot Blast Escape. It was Designed for 1,900°F at 100 psig with
Valve in a Steel Mill 1" Compression

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Single

This expansion joint will not resist any deflections with any force other than the resistance of the
bellows, which is a function of the spring rate times the deflection amount. It is incapable of resisting the
pressure thrust along its axis, which is the product of the pressure times the effective, or cross
sectional, area of the bellows. Large diameter units, even with low pressures, can generate very large
axial pressure thrust forces, which must be reacted by main and directional anchors. Otherwise the
expansion joint will extend with disastrous results.

605 Single Expansion Joints with Rectangular Plate Flanges and Weld Ends
(6" Dia., 15-3/8" Overall Length, Design Temp.: 525°F, Design Pressure: 1 psig)
These Expansion Joints will be Installed in a Heater for a Delayed Coker Unit

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Universal

Universal Expansion Joints

The universal expansion joint consists of two bellows separated by a pipe section or spool. The primary
purpose of this arrangement is to have a unit which will accept large amounts of lateral deflection. The
amount of lateral deflection they can accept is a function of the amount of angulation each bellows can
absorb and the distance between the bellows. For a given bellows element, the amount of lateral
deflection capability can be increased or decreased by simply changing the length of the center spool.

66" Dia. Tied Universal Metallic Expansion Joints

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Types of Expansion Joints - Universal

In our expansion joint catalog three standard overall lengths are given with their lateral movement
capability. If the piping problem requires greater capability, then the overall length can be increased to suit.

Flanged Universal Expansion Joint

Tied Universal Expansion Joints Tied Universal Expansion

with Stainless Steel Flanges Joint with Covers

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Types of Expansion Joints - Universal

Since deflections are usually the result of piping thermal expansion, and universal expansion joints are
usually long, our units are designed so that the thermal expansion of the entire unit's length is accepted
as compression by the two bellows elements. In this way, the overall length of the unit does not change
when the piping is heated. The standard units in our expansion joint catalog have all been designed to
accept the thermal expansion of their length when the temperature is up to the design temperature
shown.

6" Tied Universal Expansion Joints 5" Tied Universal Expansion Joints
for a Steam Recovery Reformer Project for an Oil Piping System Application
in Virginia in Nevada

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Hinged

Hinged Expansion Joints

Hinged Expansion Joints contain hinges or pivots which allow the unit to bend in a single plane.
These units are designed to restrict axial deflection, either in extension or compression. The
hinge mechanism is typically designed to accept full pressure thrust.

Two 43" Hinged Expansion Joints with 5" Thick

Refractory Lining, Manufactured to be Part of
FCC Stand Pipes in a Synfuels Plant

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Types of Expansion Joints - Hinged

Also, because of the hinge mechanism's design, shear loads, such as from the weight of adjacent piping,
can be accepted by this expansion joint, relieving the piping designer of having to provide additional
supports and anchors required by the Single type.

Two 43" Hinged Expansion Joints with 5" Thick Single Hinged Expansion
Refractory Lining, Manufactured to be Part of Joint with Control Rods
FCC Stand Pipes in a Synfuels Plant

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Hinged
Some hinge types can be provided with hinge pin holes which are slotted to permit limited axial travel.
These "slotted hinge" types will not resist pressure thrust forces, and anchoring must be provided. This
catalog only depicts the fully restrained hinged type. If axial travel is desired, the piping designer should
clearly state that the slotted hinge type is wanted in the design requirements, and he should provide for
pressure thrust anchoring.

90" Universal Flanged and Flued Head Expansion Joint and Duct Work Assembly
(Designed for a 90" dia. line; includes slotted hinge plates installed across the bellows to carry the weight of the duct
between the bellows and equalize the axial compression between the two bellows)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Hinged

On the other hand, if the full axial restraint of the hinged type is desired, the piping designer should
understand that there is no allowance in the expansion joint for any axial travel, including none for any
installation misalignment.

24" Universal Hinged Expansion Joint

(Overall length is 125-5/8", designed with Inconel® 625 bellows, a 304 stainless steel liner
and carbon steel 150 lb. flanges; the hinges allow up to 5° of angular movement)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Gimbal

Gimbal Expansion Joints

The gimbal expansion joint is basically the same as the hinge type, except that instead of being limited to
deflection in only one plane, it can accept bending or angulation in any plane.

Features:
- Absorbs angular rotation
- Eliminates pressure thrust forces
- Transmits shear and wind loads
- Supports dead weight
- Prevents torsion on bellows
- No main anchors required
- Minimum guiding required
- Low forces on piping system

55" O.D. Double Gimbal Universal Expansion Joint

(Designed for an FCC unit; equipped with floating rings and Inconel 625 LCF bellows)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Gimbal

It contains two sets of hinge pins or pivots, the axis of each set perpendicular to the other. Each set
of pins is connected to each other with a central gimbal ring, in much the same way that a universal
joint on an automobile works. This unit provides the same type of restraint and resistance to axial
forces, such as the pressure thrust, and to shear forces as the hinge type.

44" Double Gimbal Universal Expansion Joint 72" Double Gimbal Universal Expansion
Designed for Angular Rotation in Two Planes of Joint with a 90° Elbow and
up to 4° in Each Plane Flanged and Flued Head Bellows

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Elbow Pressure Balanced

Pressure Balanced Elbow Expansion Joints

This type of expansion joint is really a combination of several types. It’s purpose is to retain and balance
the pressure thrust so that main anchoring of the pipe or adjacent equipment is not required, and forces
and movements on attachment flanges of delicate equipment, such as turbines, are kept to acceptably
low levels.

60" Pressure Balanced Elbow Expansion Joint

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Types of Expansion Joints - Elbow Pressure Balanced

The deflections to be accepted are handled by the proper type of expansion joint, which
normally, and as shown in the above sketch, is a tied universal type to accept lateral
movements. However, the pressure balanced elbow is usually required because axial
deflections are also present. In order to accept these movements, a bellows is added
beyond the elbow with the same cross-sectional area as the ones in the universal section.

26" Dia. Pressure

Balanced Elbow
Expansion Joint
Refurbished for
an Effluent
Header at Cedar
Bayou Plant

Pressure Balanced Elbow Expansion

Joints designed for 150 PSIG and
450°F for a 42" steam line

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Elbow Pressure Balanced
This balancing bellows is connected by the tie rods to the pipe beyond the universal section; in this
way the pressure thrust is contained as tension in the tie rods. The section of the expansion joint
between the tie rods, which includes the elbow, is now free to move axially, with the only resistance
being a function of the spring rates of the bellows.

36" Pressure Balanced Elbow Expansion Joints

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Types of Expansion Joints - Elbow Pressure Balanced

Because of their arrangement, however, the spring rate of the entire expansion joint is the sum of
the spring rates of the balancing and the universal bellows. This is a constant volume system, in
that when the universal end compresses, the balancing end extends the same amount. All of the
lateral deflection is absorbed by the universal end, and there is no lateral deflection imposed on the
balancing end. Therefore, the balancing bellows is almost always a single bellows type.

54" Pressure Balanced Elbow Turbine Crossover Expansion Joint (Refurbished)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Inline Pressure Balanced

In-line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints

When axial deflections exist, and anchoring is

impractical for structural or economic reasons,
such as high in the air or short straight pipe runs
between two large vessels, the in-line pressure
balanced expansion joint is a powerful solution to
a difficult design problem. The principle of this
type of unit is essentially the same as the pressure
balanced elbow type, in that the axial pressure
thrust is reacted by the pressure acting on a
cross-sectional area equal to the area of the
working or primary bellows.

14" In-line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint

(Designed for 51 psig and 167°F for a highly corrosive
application)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Inline Pressure Balanced
Since this unit is entirely axial, and there are no directional changes in the pipe, such as with the elbow in
the previous discussion, the cross-sectional area needed to balance the pressure is placed around the
outside of the unit. Since the pressure forces are generated by the pressure acting on the annular surface
between the primary and outer, or balancing bellows, the arrangement of the tie rods transfers and
balances the pressure thrust created in the pipe on each end. Now the forces needed to compress or
extend the unit are only the result of the spring resistance of the bellows, and main anchoring of the pipe
or vessels is not required.

24" In-line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints

(designed for 175 psig and 610°F for a petrochemical plant in Venezuela)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Inline Pressure Balanced

This expansion joint is obviously more expensive than the simpler types; however, they may result in a
lower overall system cost when the elimination of main anchoring is considered. This expansion joint can
also be used to replace pipe loops, and its cost advantage may be seen in reduced pumping energy by
the elimination of the loop's elbow-generated pressure losses. This may also allow reducing the pipe size
for the entire system.

14" In-line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints

(Designed for 125 psig, 244°F and 48,000 lb. of pressure thrust)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Externally Pressurized

Externally Pressurized Expansion Joints

Externally pressurized expansion
joints, also known as x-flex
expansion joints, are suited for
piping systems that require large
amounts of axial compression or
extension.

• 10″ to 24″ diameter range

• 304 stainless steel bellows
• Carbon steel shell and flanges
• Design conditions: 150 PSIG at 350ºF
• Maximum of 4″ compression
• Hydrostatically tested

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Externally Pressurized

In externally pressurized expansion joints, the bellows elements are arranged so that the media flow
is on the external surface of the bellows. Externally pressurizing the bellows eliminates pressure
instability as a limitation to the design and permits the absorption of large amounts of axial
expansion.

14 Externally Pressurized Expansion Joints

• Designed in various sizes for NASA
• Diameters range from 4" to 10"
• Overall length ranges from 21" to 42"

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Externally Pressurized

16" Dia. Externally Pressurized Expansion Joints

(Designed for an oil refinery; 60-1/4" face-to-face; 304
SS bellows; custom designed for 8" of axial
movement and 150 psig at 176°F, with a
spring rate of 2,152 lb./in.)
56 Externally Pressurized Expansion Joints
(Designed for a cooling system; 37.5" dia. and 36"
face-to-face with 304 SS bellows)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Toroidal

Toroidal Bellows Expansion Joints

(Omega Bellows Expansion Joint)

A toroidal convolution consists of a circular tube (or totus) wrapped around weld
ends or pipe ends having a gap at the I.D. to permit axial stroke. A toroidal
expansion joint may consist of one convolution, or multiple convolutions. This
joint is also known as an Omega bellows expansion joint for it resembles the
Greek letter Omega.

Most toroidal bellows are hydraulically formed which requires high pressure.
Others are free formed, similar to blowing up a balloon. More accurate
convolution shapes may be formed into toroidal dye cavities. Since this forming
pressure is high, pressure resistance is also high.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Toroidal

"U" shaped bellows cause a bending stress due to the pressure load on the convolution side wall.
This generally determines the maximum pressure, however the toroid contains only membrane stress
thus determining the maximum pressure. Due to the toroidal shape, deflection is limited. With "U"
shaped convolutions, more deflection can be achieved but allowable pressures are lower.

92" Toroidal Bellow Expansion Joint for an ASME “U” Stamp Heat Exchanger Shell.
(Designed for 400 psig at 500°F; extension stroke of 5/16"; the bellows element
was fabricated from .060" Inconel® 600 with A-516 Gr. 70 weld ends)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Clamshell

Clamshell Bellows Expansion Joints

3-Day Emergency Fabrication of a 40" Clamshell

Expansion Joint for a Chemical Plant in Texas.

Clamshell Bellows Expansion Joint

(Designed for a shell and tube heat
Q.C. Performing a
exchanger; 14" dia.; 150 psig at 150°F)
Dye Penetrant Test on
a Clamshell Bellows

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Refractory-lined

Refractory Lined Expansion Joints

Depending on the temperature, pressure, movement and flow media conditions, refractory-lined
expansion joints can be hinged, in-line pressure balanced, gimbal, tied-universal and can also include
pantographic linkage. For hot applications (up to 1400°F), the bellows is packed with KO wool and lined
with insulating refractory.

44" Universal Refractory Lined 36" Double Hinged 70" Tied Universal
Expansion Joint designed for Expansion Joint designed Expansion Joint designed
30 psig and 1400°F for 50 psig and 1000°F for 51 psig and 1460°F

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Refractory-lined
The refractory-lining allows for the use of carbon steel pipe instead of 300 series stainless steel. It can
reduce the pipe wall temperature to between 300-450°F and also protect the bellows from abrasion
caused by the flow of abrasive particles.

80" Dia., 36" Long Refractory-lined Tied Universal Expansion Joint

This expansion joint was fabricated with two-ply Inconel® 625 LCF bellows, tie rods, slotted hinges,
insulation bags and liner seals. It is designed to operate at 58 PSIG and temperatures up to 1,450° F.
The expansion joint was preset for 6" lateral travel and is capable of lateral travel up to 13".

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Refractory-lined

Refractory-lined expansion joints are used in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU), furnaces, hot gas
turbines, styrene plants, fluidized bed boilers, kilns, power recovery trains and thermal oxidizers.
Refractory-lined expansion joints are custom designed for each application due to the extreme
environments.

76" Diameter Single Expansion Joints with

4" Refractory Lining, 321 Stainless Steel
Bellows and A588-A Corten Angle
Flanges.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Thick Wall

Thick Wall Expansion Joints

These may be a cost-effective option for large-diameter piping systems which operate at low
pressure. Metals can be selected to satisfy different temperature conditions. The distribution of
axial, angular, and lateral forces will be different when thick-wall expansion joints are used. We
can provide your design engineers with the potential forces and movements for proper design of
the structural members supporting the system. These joints have a long life which justifies the
initial investment.

72" Diameter Tied Universal Thick Wall Expansion 108" Diameter Thick Wall Expansion Joint
Joint with 316 SS Bellows for a Sulfuric Acid Plant (with 2 convolutions)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Thick Wall

Thick-wall expansion joints are used primarily in heat exchangers and large diameter piping systems
where thin-wall expansion joints would not be sufficient. The bellows are typically fabricated from A516
Grade 70 material, with the thickness ranging from 3/16" to 1". Other materials are available to meet
different temperature requirements.

78" I.D. x 100" O.D. Thick Wall Flanged and Flued Head Expansion Joints

All four expansion joints were fabricated from 1/4″ thick ASTM A516 grade 70 carbon steel plate. The
expansion joints were cold formed and heat treated. The weld ends of the expansion joint are beveled,
and drainage plugs are installed in the crest of the bellows.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Rectangular Metallic

Rectangular Metallic Expansion Joints

Rectangular metal expansion joints have a variety of applications
in the power, petrochemical, refining, chemical, and steel
industries. Since there are no standard duct sizes, and due to the
wide range of pressure and temperature combinations, each
rectangular metal expansion joint is custom-engineered to provide
the most economical design that will absorb the thermal
movements of the system in which it is installed.

71" x 143" Round Corner Regular Expansion Rectangular Metallic Expansion Joint
Joint for an Oil Refinery in India 240" x 80" and 157" x 65"

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints - Rectangular Metallic
Like circular expansion joints, rectangular expansion joints absorb three types of movement: axial,
lateral and angular. For the purpose of designing rectangular bellows, it is critical to know in which
direction the lateral and angular movements will occur, i.e. parallel to the long and/or short side of the
bellows.

55' Long by 14' 6" Wide Rectangular Metallic Expansion Joint

The expansion joints were fabricated from COR-TEN ASTM 588 carbon steel and are designed for 1.2
PSI at temperatures up to 748°F. The expansion joints were designed for an axial compression of 1.5″
and a lateral resultant movement of 1.84″. The entire expansion joint was shipped to the job site in one
piece. This avoided having to splice weld the expansion joint into one piece, which saved the customer
countless assembly man hours in the field.
www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795
Types of Expansion Joints - Rectangular Metallic

Unlike circular bellows where the pressure stress is a circumferential membrane (hoop) stress, the
rectangular bellows must be designed for longitudinal (beam) bending stresses. Long unsupported
lengths must frequently be supported to prevent excessive deflection and stresses of the bellows
element. In certain applications, covers and liners can perform the function of pressure supports.

Single Miter Corner Rounded Corner Camera Corner

Typical convolution geometry's and corner construction details are shown below. The "V" convolution
profile will be supplied with single miter corners, unless otherwise specified. Round corner bellows will
always be constructed using the "U" convolution profile.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints

Slip Type Expansion Joints

Slip type (Dresser® Style) expansion joints are used when the primary problem is a large axial
movement. Materials can be selected to accommodate high temperatures and pressures. Design details
include selection of packing and seals and perhaps resistance to abrasive solids. Some applications may
require surfaces to minimize abrasive wear. Special features such as "wipers" can be included to prevent
potential clogging of the space provided for slip movement.

30" Slip Type Expansion Joint

(Designed for hydrocarbon flaring system )

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints

Fabric Expansion Joints

Fabric expansion joints are often used in ducts which carry hot gases at low pressures. The major design
parameters are the temperatures and flow rates of the gases and the amount and abrasiveness of solids
suspended in the gases. Layers of different fabrics insulation can be combined to accommodate the
temperatures and pressure in the system. The fabric belt may need to be replaced periodically.

128" x 229" Rectangular Fabric Expansion Joint

24" Dia. Fabric Expansion Joints Designed for

Inlet and Exhaust Piping of a Hot Air Blower

81" x 18" Fabric Expansion Joint Designed for High Air

Circulation Flow for Air Cooling Loop Duct in a Power Plant
www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795
Types of Expansion Joints - Fabric

Stitching the Fabric Belt on the 1st Layer

36" x 10" Face-to-Face fabric Expansion Joint with a

Three Layer fabric Belt Including 150 lb. Flat Face
Flanges with Carbon Steel Backing Bars and Liner
Up Close of Stitching the Fabric Belt

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints

Fabric Expansion Joints and Duct Work

U.S. Bellows provides custom designed expansion joints in duct work and fabricated duct work
assemblies. The assemblies may include fabricated elbows, tees, and straight sections of duct work, in
carbon steel or stainless steel, and in diameters of 42" or larger. The duct sections can include fabric or
metallic expansion joints and can be rectangular or round. U.S. Bellows can also provide specialized pipe
supports and spring hangers for large diameter duct work. Additionally, we offer complete pipe stress
analysis of your duct systems using CAESAR II software.

78" Dia. Fabric Expansion Joint and Duct Work 72" Dia. Duct Work Designed for Absorbing
Assembly with a 90° Elbow for a Sulphuric Acid Plant
Tower Piping in an Acid Plant

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Types of Expansion Joints

Neoprene / Rubber Expansion Joints

59" Diameter Neoprene Expansion Joint

(Carbon Steel Angle flanges and Stainless
Steel Clamp Rings)

30" Diameter Rubber 59" x 39.5" Neoprene Expansion Joints

Expansion Joint (EPDM for Air Intake in a generator Unit at a
reinforced tube & cover, Packaged Power Facility
telescoping linear and
A516-70 flanges)

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Expansion Joint Accessories

Internal Liners

Internal liners are used to reduce

turbulence across the bellows, and to
protect the bellows from erosion. They
are necessary when particulate barriers
and purges are specified.
Liners are normally required when ducts
are refractory lined, as they become
refractory lined as well.
Applicable lateral and angular
movements should be specified, in order
that adequate clearance is provided in
the liner design.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Expansion Joint Accessories
Protective Covers

Being relatively thin, the bellows element should be protected on the outside from damage during plant
construction and later maintenance activities. Falling tools, standing on the bellows, contact with pipes,
hangers and equipment, and weld and burning spatter can render a bellows unsafe or unusable. PT&P
offers, as an optional accessory, standard carbon steel removable covers attached to the upstream end
connection, and sized to permit free flexing of the expansion joint.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Expansion Joint Accessories
Limit Rods

It is sometimes desirable to limit the axial expansion or compression of the expansion joint. Limit rods,
shown above, provide freedom of movement over a range determined by the location of nut stops
along the rods. In the event of a main anchor failure, limit rods are designed to prevent bellows over-
extension while restraining the full pressure thrust of the system.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Expansion Joint Accessories

Purge Connectors / Particulate Barriers

In systems that have a media with significant

particulate content (i.e. flash or catalyst), a barrier
of ceramic fiber can be utilized to prevent
corrosion and restricted bellows flexibility resulting
from the accumulation of the particulate.
Purging systems may also be used to perform this
function. Liners will necessarily have to be
installed when a particulate barrier or purge
connection is specified.

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

EJMA Standards

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

EJMA Standards

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Value-Added Services
– Emergency Response

Refurbishment of 54" Pressure Balanced

Elbow Turbine Crossover Expansion Joint

4" Single Expansion

Joint Refurbished
(Received in the
Morning and Shipped
the Very Same Day)

Metallic Expansion Joint

Same-Day Emergency Service Refurbished in Just 2 Days
on an 8" Single Expansion Joint

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Value-Added Services
– Emergency Services

24x7 Web-based Emergency Services

24x7 Emergency/Quick-turn Services for a 48"

Friday, 5:30pm dia expansion joint Sunday

Saturday

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Value-Added Services
– Engineering & Design Department

• Engineering and Design

– Piping, pipe support and
structural design

– 3D modeling technology

– Pipe Stress Analysis

• ANSYS

– Finite Element Analysis

• Special stress/thermal problems
• Pro/E for 3-D Part Design
• ANSYS for Mesh Generation
+ Analysis + Results Analysis

– Field Testing

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Technical Information

www.usbellows.com

Pressure Balanced Heat Exchanger

Expansion Joints Shell Bellows

Fatigue Testing High Temp

Furnace Seal Bag

www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795

Thank You for Joining U.S. Bellows 101:
Expansion Joint Basics Webinar
Please forward any additional questions or inquiries to us at
[email protected], call us at 877-660-1795 or visit our
website at www.usbellows.com

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www.usbellows.com [email protected] Phone: 877-660-1795