Expansion Joint Basics

Expansion Joint Presentation

American BOA-Industrial Division
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1301, Cumming, GA 30028
Phone: 770.889.9400
Fax: 770.781.3968
Website: www.americanboa.com
E-mail: sales@boa-us.com

H:PresentationsGroup Presentation
Friday, September 03, 2010

American BOA Heritage Timeline

• Patent issued for first metallic bellows to IWKA: 1898

• American BOA Incoporates: 1957

• American BOA Relocates to Cumming, GA: 1982


Industrial Manufacturing Facility
• Production Space: 85,000 sq. Ft.

• Employees: 120+

• Shifts: 3+

• Marketplace: Global


Key Product Portfolio
Industrial Products:

Metal Hoses Expansion Joints Metal Bellows


Capabilities
Product specifications

Diameter: 3/8” to 240”
Bellows
Wall thickness: 0.002” to .4”
Pressure rate: ~0 to 3480 PSI
Temperature: -75° to 1,740° F
Frequencies: 0 – 7 KHz
Expansion
Joints Lifetime: 108 – 109 Cycles
Medium: Gases/Liquids/Steam/
Chemicals
Hoses


QUALITY
•ASME Section VIII Code “U” and “R” Stamps
•AS9000
•ASME Section IX
•ISO 9001:2000 Registration No. 0014154-
800514
•ISO/TS 16949:2002 Registration No. 0022306
•ISO 14001:2004 Registration No. 0021787
•CE Marking to PED 97/23/EC
•AD Merkblatt - HPO


Contents of the Presentation
1. ABI Expansion Joints Advantages
2. Engineering
3. Manufacturing
4. Testing
5. Product Offering
6. ABI product applications
7. Benefits of program to you


Competitive Priorities and Advantages of American
BOA Expansion Joints
• American BOA’s main competitive priorities for the expansion joint market are
service, quality, and reliability. The customers for these products generally
use the products on very expensive processes that can ill afford to be down (ie.
military vessels, oil and gas refineries, etc..). Most customers are sophisticated
to realize that a more reliable and well designed product will last longer, cause
fewer problems and result in a lower total cost of ownership.
• A competitive priority that complements the above, American BOA has focused on
reducing cycle times to fulfill orders. When the expensive processes mentioned
above are down, the company that is able to deliver the product in the shortest time
period will win the order at a premium price.
• American BOA’s competitive advantages are:
• The high level of sophisticated engineering resources and tools to provide problem
solving and design services
• The unique product features of American BOA multi-ply designs
• The unique design geometry that lessens the impact of vibration and lengthens
durability
• The American BOA name that has become synonymous with high quality and
durability.

General Comments
• American BOA is unique in that "customers" are treated more like clients than
just customers. Our clients look at us as the experts, and trust us to address
issues that they are not aware exists.
• A major defense contractor refuses to meet with competition.
• American BOA is unique in that we "sell the invisible" to our clients and they
realize the "value added" service that comes with the product Others sell the
product to fill a gap or fit an application; ABI works before and well after the sell
to enable the client to be successful.
• Chief Engineer at a major ship builder, told young engineers that he uses ABI products
because of the service that goes on before and after the sale, not just for the superior
quality of the products.
• American BOA exhaust expansion joints are unique and superior to our
competitors American BOA looks at ship exhaust as two issues--thermal growth
and vibration--with vibration as the key problem; competitors look at ship exhaust
as thermal growth with vibration being a lesser, secondary problem.
• At the Fish Expo Show in Seattle, the competitor stated that BOA’s approach to engine
exhaust with 4-ply and 5-ply bellows was “ridiculous." However, there were extensive
testimonials that the BOA bellows solved all problems and was the most reliable of all
products. The representative was not even conscious off the clients key application
issues.


AMERICAN BOA MULTI-PLY EXPANSION JOINTS

BOA alone provides
multi-ply designs
with more than 3
plies.


Technical Features and Benefits
(continued)

Advantages of BOA’s Multi-Ply Bellows
• Cycle Life – The contour of the thin gauge multi-ply
convolution is designed to keep pressure and
induced deflection stresses at a minimum. As a
result of the low stress level that the bellows
experiences during operation, cycle endurance is
substantially improved.
• Maximum Travel – Maximum axial, lateral, and
angular movements are optimized considering the
lowest possible spring rates and the shortest
overall length.
• Safety – A catastrophic failure is virtually
impossible. The multi-ply inner core would prevent
this. Should a crack occur for any reason, - stress,
corrosion, mechanical,- the plies, acting as a
labyrinth gland would constrain the pressure and
medium and hold the entire joint intact. A small
blister would occur in the outer ply. However, the
joint would still perform satisfactorily for many
thousand cycles.


Technical Features and Benefits
Multi-Ply Bellows
BOA pioneered the development of the
unique Multi-Ply bellows design which
proved to be exceptionally effective in
absorbing thermal expansion and
vibration.
Advantages of BOA’s Multi-Ply Bellows
• Flexibility – Thin gauge material is used in
the manufacture of multi-ply bellows
increasing flexibility and reducing deflection
forces.
• Higher Pressures and Lower Thrust Forces
– Greater pressure ratings can be attained
with our Multi-Ply construction by increasing
the number and/or gauge of the plies
without changing the corrugation contour.
With conventional joints, the wall thickness
and corrugation height must be increased.
Additionally, our shallow profile results in
lower reaction forces because of a smaller
mean diameter.


Single Ply versus Multiply Bellows

Quotation#: I-0 Quotation#: I-0
For Reference Only Customer: 0 For Reference Only Customer: 0
Date: 1/14/2009 Date: 9/12/2002
American BOA, Inc. Prepared By: PV American BOA, Inc. Prepared By: PV
Expansion Joint Division Exp. Jt. Item #: 0 Expansion Joint Division Exp. Jt. Item #: 0

BELLOWS DESIGN CALCULATION BELLOWS DESIGN CALCULATION
Author: M. Lanz rev. 68, 6/27/02 Author: M. Lanz rev. 68, 6/27/02
Design Basis: The Expansion Joint Manufacturer's Association Standard, 7th Edition, 2000 Addenda Design Basis: The Expansion Joint Manufacturer's Association Standard, 7th Edition, 2000 Addenda
Allowable Stress Basis: ASME Sect. VIII, Division 1, 2001 Edition Allowable Stress Basis: ASME Sect. VIII, Division 1, 2001 Edition
Bellows Element Geometry Bellows Element Geometry
Bellows Material: SA240-T321 Bellows Material: SA240-T321
Collar Material: SA240-T304 Collar Material: SA240-T304
Bellows Inside Diameter (in.) 10.75 Bellows Inside Diameter (in.) 10.75
Bellows Outside Diameter (in.) H= 0.825 12.52 Bellows Outside Diameter (in.) H= 0.825 12.52
Number of Convolutions 7 Number of Convolutions 7
Individual Ply thickness (in.) 0.012 Individual Ply thickness (in.) 0.060
Number of Plies 5 Number of Plies 1
Bellows Element Length (in.) 2r= 0.310 5.00 Bellows Element Length (in.) 2r= 0.310 5.00
Bellows Effective Area (in.^2) 106.3 Bellows Effective Area (in.^2) 106.3

Design Information Design Information
Condition Type (i.e design, upset) Design Condition Type (i.e design, upset) Design
Design Pressure (Psig) 100 Design Pressure (Psig) 100
Design Temperature (deg. F) 600 Design Temperature (deg. F) 600
Axial Compression (in.) 1.000 Axial Compression (in.) 1.000
Axial Extension (in.) 0.000 Axial Extension (in.) 0.000
Lateral (+) (in.) 0.000 Lateral (+) (in.) 0.000
Lateral (-) (in.) 0.000 Lateral (-) (in.) 0.000
Angular (+) (deg.) 0.00 Angular (+) (deg.) 0.00
Angular (-) (deg.) 0.00 Angular (-) (deg.) 0.00
Bellows Stress Analysis Bellows Stress Analysis
Actual Allow. Actual Allow.
Stress Stress Stress Stress
S1 Tangent Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 4,983 18,300 S1 Tangent Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 4,721 18,300
S'1 Collar Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 5,094 16,600 S'1 Collar Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 4,826 16,600
S2 Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 3,602 18,300 S2 Circumferential Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 3,602 18,300
S'2 Reinforcing Ring Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi ** N/A** N/A** S'2 Reinforcing Ring Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi ** N/A** N/A**
S3 Meridional Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 715 N/A S3 Meridional Membrane Stress Due to Pressure, psi 715 N/A
S4 Meridional Bending Stress Due to Pressure, psi 51,157 N/A S4 Meridional Bending Stress Due to Pressure, psi 7,067 N/A
S3+S4 Meridional Mem. + Bending Stress Due to Pressure, psi 51,872 54,900 S3+S4 Meridional Mem. + Bending Stress Due to Pressure, psi 7,783 54,900
S5 Meridional Membrane Stress Due to Deflection, psi 368 N/A S5 Meridional Membrane Stress Due to Deflection, psi 7,302 N/A
S6 Meridional Bending Stress Due to Deflection, psi 63,785 N/A S6 Meridional Bending Stress Due to Deflection, psi 349,416 N/A
Maximum Design Pressure Based Upon Squirm, psig 150 Maximum Design Pressure Based Upon Squirm, psig 492
Fatigue Characteristics Fatigue Characteristics
Total Stress Range for All Movements (St), psi 100,463 Total Stress Range for All Movements (St), psi 362,166
Fatigue Life (cycles to failure) EJMA 280,654 Fatigue Life (cycles to failure) EJMA 451
Expansion Joint Spring Rates Expansion Joint Spring Rates
Axial Spring Rate (lbs./in.) 583 Axial Spring Rate (lbs./in.) 14,282
Lateral Spring Rate (lbs./in.) 4,196 Lateral Spring Rate (lbs./in.) 102,858
Angular Spring Rate (in.-lbs./deg.) 173 Angular Spring Rate (in.-lbs./deg.) 4,238
Torsional Spring Rate (in.-lbs./deg.) 774,702 Torsional Spring Rate (in.-lbs./deg.) 774,702
(Maximum Allowed Torsion = 0.064 deg.) (Maximum Allowed Torsion = 0.064 deg.)
Pressure Thrust at Design Pressure (lbs.) 10,632 Pressure Thrust at Design Pressure (lbs.) 10,632

** Un-reinforced bellows, reinforcing rings not utilized ** Un-reinforced bellows, reinforcing rings not utilized


Engineering:
Bellows Design Analysis:
American BOA is a member of the Expansion Joint Manufacturer’s Association (EJMA) and
manufacturers expansion joints in accordance with the latest EJMA Addendum. Bellows design
analysis is performed in accordance with various design codes including:
•EJMA, 9th Edition
•ASME B31.1
•ASME B31.3
•ASME Section VIII Div 1 Appx 26
•European Union Pressure Equipment Directive
Compliance with additional codes may be accommodated upon request.
American BOA has conducted numerous fatigue, squirm, and burst tests as well as spring rate
measurements for qualifying our Bellows Design analysis software.


Engineering:
Hose Manufacturing:
American BOA is a member of National Association for Hose and Accessory Distribution (NAHAD).
Hose manufacturing is performed in accordance with ISO10380. In addition assemblies are certified to
AD 2000-Merkblatt HPO as required for specific clients.

Engineering Tools:
To ensure safe and reliable products, American BOA’s engineering staff utilizes additional software
• Algor-linear static analysis, heat transfer, and fluid flow
•Cosmos- linear static analysis and heat transfer
•AutoCAD-design & drafting
•Solidworks-design & drafting
•Caesar II-pipe stress analysis


Manufacturing Equipment:
American BOA’s Industrial Division specializes in flexible metal forming
technologies and joining technologies (welding, brazing, etc.). Assets include:
•Mechanical bellows forming equipment capable of forming 2”ND to 240”ND
bellows.
•Hydroforming bellows forming equipment capable of forming 3/8”I.D. to 10”ND
bellows.
•Tube mills.
•Plasma table capable of burning up to 1 ¼” thick plate.
•In house machine shop services including milling equipment, lathes, CNC
machines, drill presses, etc.
•Pipe rolls.
•Plate and sheet shears.
•Welding equipment set up for brazing and welding processes (MIG & TIG).


Testing Capabilities:
•American BOA manufactures products to the highest quality standards. To ensure products are free
from defect the following testing processes are utilized:
•CWI Weld Inspection (Certified by American Welding Society)
•Finished product pressure testing including pneumatic, hydrostatic, and soap/bubble.
•Helium leak testing (positive pressure and full vacuum).
•Non destructive testing capabilities include dye penetrant examination, radiographic examination, and
magnetic particle examination.
•Positive material identification (PMI).
•Fatigue testing.
•Spring rate testing.
•Real Motion Simulation (RMS)
6 degrees of freedom.


Flexible Component Design Variables:
Bellows materials of construction.
Material specification of other components.
Nominal diameter.
Overall length requirement (if required).
End types (i.e. flanges, weld ends, etc.).
Design Pressure.
Test Pressure (if other than standard design code requirements).
Design temperature.
Design Movements (specified in concurrent, non-concurrent, misalignment, etc.).
Force loading requirements.
Media velocity and/or media abrasiveness.
Options required (i.e. liners, shrouds, rods, hinges, gimbals, purge ports, etc.)


Expansion Joint Components
Primary component:
• Bellows

Secondary Components:
• Unions
• Liners
• Shrouds
• Restraints
• Other optional Equipment


Expansion Joint Definition:
An expansion joint is a device containing one or more bellows used to
absorb dimensional changes caused by thermal growths or contractions.
Expansion joints may also be used for vibration damping.


Expansion Joint Movements Defined:

There are four basic movements that can be applied to a bellows. These are Axial,
Lateral, Angular and Torsion as illustrated below. Bellows behave like springs in a
piping system. When they are compressed, they resist the movement the same as
a spring would. The spring rate of a bellows is entirely dependent on bellows
geometry and material properties.

Axial movement is the change in dimensional length of the bellows from its free
length in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis.

Angular movement is the rotational displacement of the longitudinal axis of the
bellows toward a point of rotation.

Lateral movement is the relative displacement of one end of the bellows to the
other end in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (shear).

Torsion movement is the rotation about the axis through the center of a bellows.
American Boa does not recommend torsional rotation of metal bellows expansion
joints. Torsion destabilizes an expansion joint reducing its ability to contain
pressure and absorb movement.


Expansion Joint Reactive Forces:

Spring Force:
The force required to deflect an expansion joint within a specific plane. A force equal to the spring force is exerted upon
the systems anchors. The magnitude of the spring force is equal to the expansion joints planar spring rate multiplied by
the amount traveled within that plane.
Example:
Axial Spring Rate = 300 #/inch, Design Movement = 3” axial compression,
Axial Spring Force = 300 #/inch * 3” = 900 #
Pressure Thrust:
The result of placing a “spring” within a rigid piping system. An expansion joint is a flexible unit, which will naturally extend
(internal pressure) or compress (external pressure/vacuum). Pressure thrust typically exceeds the total spring force of the
bellows and must be considered when designing a piping system’s main anchor. Pressure thrust is equal to the bellows
cross sectional area multiplied by the design pressure.
Example (10” ND Single Bellows Expansion Joint):
Cross Sectional Area = 106.30 inches^2, Design Pressure = 350 PSIG,
Pressure Thrust = 37,205 #


Expansion Joint Anchoring & Guiding:

Anchoring:
Expansion joints must have anchors on either side. These anchors must be able able to withstand the
total force the expansion joint and other system components exert. Expansion joints will exert a
cumulative spring force and a pressure thrust. Additional forces include frictional forces from guides.
Further forces may apply depending on piping configuration.

Guiding:
The expansion joint should be placed as close to a main anchor as possible. Guides should be applied
within 4 pipe ND, 14 pipe ND, then every distance as calculated per the following equation. The
maximum distance between pipe guides is equal to:
Lmax = 0.131*[(Ep*Ip)/((Pd*Ae)+/-(fi*ex))]^1/2
where Ep = Pipe’s Modulus of elasticity, Ip = Moment of inertia of the pipe’s cross sectional area, Pd =
Design pressure, Ae = Bellows effective area, fi = Bellows theoretical initial elastic spring rate per
convolution, and ex = axial movement per bellows convolution.


Types of Bellows


Types of Expansion Joints:
Single Expansion Joint:
The simplest type of expansion joint consists of a single bellows element welded to
end fittings, normally flange or pipe ends. The single bellows can absorb small
amounts of axial, lateral and angular movement with ease, but adequate anchors
and guides must be provided.

Universal Expansion Joint:
This assembly consists of two bellows connected by a center spool piece with
flange or pipe ends. The universal arrangement allows greater axial, lateral and
angular movements than a Single Bellows Assembly. Increasing the center spool
length produces increased movement capability. Like the single, adequate anchors
and guides must be provided.


Externally Pressurized Expansion Joint:
There are certain expansion joint applications that call for large axial movements. These are frequently
encountered in steam distribution systems found in hospital, schools, or military installations. Internally
pressurized assemblies become unstable even at low pressures when the number of convolutions reaches a
certain limit; therefore, the problems created by these requirements cannot be solved using a Single Bellows
Assembly. (Under increasing pressure, an internally pressurized bellows will act as an unstable column in
compression, and squirm.) In cases like these, an Externally Pressurized Assembly provides the most viable
solution. When pressure is applied externally to the bellows, as shown in the figure 1, the bellows are placed
in tension. In this condition squirm is not a factor. A greater number of convolutions can be added to
the bellows even at higher pressures, resulting in increased movement capability. This style joint has the
added benefit of self-draining convolutions. All the trapped liquid media can be purged from the outer casing
eliminating the possibility of liquid "flashing" to vapor. An anchor foot can be added to the Single Externally
Pressurized Style allowing it to act as an intermediate anchor. The anchor foot is designed to withstand any
loads produced by the deflection of the bellows. Dual Style Externally Pressurized designs are equipped
with an anchor foot as a standard. The internal and external rings on both styles act as a pipe guide so the
first guide (G1) is not necessary.


Externally Pressurized Expansion Joint (continued):
Design Features: Externally Pressurized Expansion Joint compared
Bellows protection to Slip Type Joints:
Smooth flow
Oversize bellows • Externally pressurized expansion joints are
Drain connection maintenance free after installation.
Purge connection • Slip type joints require periodic repacking of
Fail-safe design the sleeve to prevent leaking.
Self-draining convolutions • Slip type joints generate large frictional forces
Joint acts as first guide as a result of movement (generated by the
metal mating surfaces).
• Externally pressurized expansion joints are
much more cost effective in larger pipe sizes.


Expansion Joint Options:
Liners:
Liners or sleeves are available for all expansion joints and should be used when
any of the following conditions exist:
When pressure drop must be minimized and smooth flow is essential.
When turbulent flow is generated upstream of the expansion joint by changes
in flow direction.
When it is necessary to protect the bellows from media carrying abrasive
materials such as catalyst or slurry.
In high temperature applications to reduce the temperature of the bellows.
The liner is a barrier between the media and the bellows.
For Air, Steam and other Gases
Up to 6 in. diameter - 4 ft/sec/in. of diameter
Over 6 in. diameter - 25 ft/sec.
For Water and other Liquids
Up to 6 in. diameter - 2 ft/sec/in. of diameter
Over 6 in. diameter - 10 ft/sec.
Note that flow liners can trap liquid if the expansion joint is installed with the flow
vertical up. All standard parts are provided with drain holes to prevent liquid build
between the liner and the bellows.


Covers (Shrouds):
Shrouds can be provided either fixed or removable. Fixed types are
used where high velocity external steam conditions exist such as in
condenser heater connections. The removable type of cover is the standard
and permits periodic in service inspection. Covers are also used to prevent
damage during installation and operation or when welding is going to be
performed in the immediate vicinity. If the expansion joint is going to be
externally insulated, a cover should be considered. American Boa always
recommends covers for any expansion joint. The small cost increase is just
economical insurance when compared to a complete joint replacement.

Tie Rods:
Ties rods are devices, usually in the form of bars or rods, attached to the
expansion joint assembly and are designed to absorb pressure thrust loads and
other extraneous forces (i.e. dead weight). When used on a Single or
Universal Style Expansion Joint, the ability to absorb axial movement is lost. Only
two rods may be used if the expansion joint is subjected to angulation.


Limit Rods:
Limit rods are used to protect the bellows from movements in excess of
design that occasionally occurs due to plant malfunction or the failure of an
anchor. LIMIT RODS DO NOT CONTAIN THE PRESSURE THRUST DURING
NORMAL OPERATION. Limit rods are designed to prevent bellows over-
extension or over-compression while restraining the full pressure loading
and dynamic forces generated by an anchor failure. During normal operation
the rods have no function.

Control Rods:
Control rods are devices attached to the expansion joint assembly whose
primary function is to distribute the movement between the two bellows of a
universal expansion joint. CONTROL RODS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO
RESTRAIN BELLOWS PRESSURE THRUST.


Van Stone Bellows:
Vanstone ends wrap the bellows neck around the flange face,
which allows the flange to rotate. Van Stone type bellows are an
economical solution compared to the use of stub ends
(particularly in expensive alloys). Additionally the flange surface
is no longer subjected to the flow, which allows for the use of
cheaper alloy flanges.

Hinged Expansion Joint:
When a Hinged Expansion Joint is used, movement is limited to
angulation in one plane. Hinged Assemblies are normally used in sets
of two or three to absorb large amounts of expansion in high pressure
piping systems. Only low spring forces are transmitted to the
equipment. The hinge hardware is designed to carry the pressure
thrust of the system, and often times, used to combat torsional
movement in a piping system. Slotted Hinged Expansion Joints are a
variant of the standard Hinged Expansion Joints that allow axial and
angular movement. Once a Slotted Hinge is introduced, torsion in the
piping system is still resisted but the hinge no longer carries pressure thrust.


Gimbal Expansion Joint:
The gimbal restraint is designed to absorb system pressure thrust and
torsional twist while allowing angulation in any plane. Gimbal Assemblies,
when used in pairs or with a Single Hinged unit, have the advantage of
absorbing movements in multi-planer piping systems. The gimbal works the
same as an automobile's universal drive shaft.

Pantograph Linkage:
Pantographic linkages are devices used to equally distribute movement
between the two bellows of a universal style expansion joint. The devices
work like scissors and do not contain pressure thrust.


Best Practices
• Always allow for adequate space to place an expansion
joint.
• Always adequately guide the piping the expansion joint
is placed in.
• Always account for pressure thrust when anchoring
lines.
• Never subject a joint to conditions it is not rated for.
• Never subject a joint to torsion.
• Never put a damaged joint into service.


Installation and Operation Guidelines
Installation:
• Install expansion joint with shipping bars in place.
• Remove shipping bars before pressure testing system.:
• Do not damage bellows element (grinding, denting, weld splatter)

Operation:
• Periodically examine bellows for damage or wear.
• Ensure no solids are between convolutions during operation.
• Keep exterior free of corrosive elements.


THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

American BOA-Industrial Division
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1301, Cumming, GA 30028
Phone: (770) 889-9400
Fax: (770) 781-3968
Website: www.americanboa.com
E-mail: sales@boa-us.com


Expansion Joint Basics

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