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Multiple Ply Bellows PDF

The document discusses the differences between North American and European designs for multi-ply bellows expansion joints. North American manufacturers typically use a single thicker ply, while European manufacturers use multiple thinner plies. Both designs can be effective, with advantages and disadvantages to each. The multiple ply design may be more susceptible to leaks between plies but is lower spring rate and can handle higher pressures. The single thicker ply is easier to repair but has a lower calculated fatigue life, though in practice there seems to be no difference in failures between the regions. Ultimately, both designs can successfully reduce piping stresses.

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Kshama Sharma
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80 views1 page

Multiple Ply Bellows PDF

The document discusses the differences between North American and European designs for multi-ply bellows expansion joints. North American manufacturers typically use a single thicker ply, while European manufacturers use multiple thinner plies. Both designs can be effective, with advantages and disadvantages to each. The multiple ply design may be more susceptible to leaks between plies but is lower spring rate and can handle higher pressures. The single thicker ply is easier to repair but has a lower calculated fatigue life, though in practice there seems to be no difference in failures between the regions. Ultimately, both designs can successfully reduce piping stresses.

Uploaded by

Kshama Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Bellows Bottom Line

Practical advice on expansion joints


by Greg Perkins MARCH 2010

This month –– The International Dispute Over Multi-Ply Bellows


North American vs. European designs

We're right - no, oui are The European manufacturers seem to use the multi-
ply designs by default. One manufacturing
North American expansion joint manufacturers tend advantage is in inventory control – stock one coil
to use a single heavier ply in bellows designs (with thickness and then add plies as the design requires.
the exception of 2-ply testable bellows) as opposed A potential problem is when the inner plies leak and
to European manufacturers who use several thinner then the outer ply cannot contain the design
plies. So who’s right? Why, we are of course. As I pressure and bursts. It is for this reason that the
recall that was the powder keg issue that triggered outer plies are supplied with weep holes to prevent
the revolutionary war of independence. OK, I’ll such pressure build up. Past accidents have resulted
back off and admit both sides seem to get the job in wholesale black-listings of such designs in North
done and make for happy customers. Here are the American refineries. Regardless of those incidents
differences: (with other contributing factors) clearly the multiply
bellows is a design that works well for many
industrial applications.

Big cars, thick bellows

The North American manufacturer’s design of a


single heavier ply lends itself to the occasional field
weld repair, which maintenance engineers like. The
heavier ply thickness is also more robust against
dropped wrenches, arc strikes, and loose covers.
Although the heavier ply usually results in a lower
calculated fatigue life, there does not appear to be a
difference in North American verses European
expansion joint fatigue failures. This is probably
because bellows are typically designed for a
minimum of 7000 full cycles which is well below
the actual plants operational cycles.
The Continent

Multiple plies of thin material make for a bellows The bottom Line
with a low spring rate, yet still capable of handling
higher design pressures. The ply count range can go Both sides can agree on this – metal bellows
as high as twelve - the inner plies are coiled; just the expansion joints are a great way of reducing piping
inner and outer are welded. All those plies add thermal growth stresses. Full diplomatic relations
hoop-stress support yet slip amongst each other can now resume.
when compressed much like an automotive leaf
spring. The lower spring rate of multiple plies
increase bellows cycle life and this type of design is
used on high vibration applications on both sides of
the pond.
Next Issue –– Inspecting pipe anchors and guides
The Bellows Bottom Line is a publication of Oakridge Bellows –– for a free subscription contact us at [email protected]
For expansion joint information Greg Perkins can be contacted at [email protected] or (830) 626-7773
Oakridge Bellows 190 S. Seguin St. New Braunfels, TX 78130

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