MATERIAL DATA PAPER

EQUALIZING RINGS AND ROOT RINGS

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY ON WHEN TO USE RINGS TO REINFORCE A BELLOWS
Senior Flexonics Pathway’s philosophy is to design bel-
lows without reinforcing rings, root rings or equalizing rings if at all
possible to minimize cost. With proper use of the design equations
from the Expansion Joint Manufacturer’s Association (EJMA) stan-
dards and state-of-the-art bellows forming equipment (roll forming
and expanding mandrel forming), ring type bellows reinforcement
can usually be avoided by adjusting the bellows wall thickness and
convolution height.
When the design conditions require that a bellows be
reinforced with ring elements, Senior Flexonics Pathway engineers
choose the type of reinforcement on the basis of cost from the op-
tions at right. The lowest cost reinforcement is a bar stock root ring
or pipe style root ring. When more cross sectional area is required to
withstand the stated design conditions, reinforcement can be added
by using a 2 piece ring or by going to the more costly machined bar
stock root ring.
The term “equalizing ring” refers to bellows ring shapes
similar to the details at the right. The word “equalizing” implies that
the movement of each individual convolution is to be controlled by
the “equalizing rings” (the word “control rings” is also used occa-
sionally). ‘The equalizing rings do limit the amount of compressive
movement per convolution because the rings bottom out against
one another when the convolutions have collapsed the amount that
is allowed by the initial space between the rings. The benefit from
this is questionable because the rings bottom out only after the bel-
lows have moved the maximum amount possible. This is generally
more than the design movement. If the expansion joint undergoes
lateral offset or angular motion, the convolutions tilt with respect to
one another in service. This means that the equalizing rings would
only equalize movement in one spot at best. For expansion joints
that extend in service, it is difficult to determine any benefit from
equalizing rings.
Equalizing rings also have some disadvantages. The ex- The term “equalizing rings” has been in use for a long
terior ring that defines the space between the convolutions covers time and there are many specifiers that still ask for equalizing rings
up the bellows from view. It is nearly impossible to visually inspect whether or not the design conditions require any sort of reinforce-
this style of bellows in service. Dye penetrant examination of the ment. Senior Flexonics Pathway’s design philosophy is to propose
exterior of the bellows is out of the question. Also, rings of any sort the use of equalizing rings if they are required by the specification,
create crevices on the bellows outside surface which can accelerate regard less of real need. As an alternate, Senior Flexonics Pathway
corrosion. Hard foreign materials can also collect in the crevices engineers will generally recommend the use of bar type or pipe style
and indent the bellows. root rings because of the substantial cost savings. When equalizing
The early manufacturer’s of expansion joints in the U.S. rings are specified but the design conditions and applicable codes
(Zallea Brothers for example) were limited to hydraulic forming do not require that the Senior Flexonics Pathway design contain
techniques. The forming process required the use of reinforcement any reinforcement, it is Senior Flexonics Pathway’s philosophy to
rings to satisfy the bellows design conditions for nearly al I steam recommend against the use of rings altogether in the interest of
service expansion joints and most expansion joints that would be offering the most efficient and cost effective design.
used for FCC process lines. For steam service expansion joints, For certain services, such as FCC process lines, it may be
the rings were usually castings. It was convenient and low cost to beneficial to include root rings regardless of design requirements
provide a cast shape that looked like the equalizing ring profile. Since to provide additional pressure containment in case of an upset.
the rings were a manufacturing necessity for companies limited to However, any added benefit that may be achieved by the use of
hydraulic forming techniques, the need for the rings was often sold equalizing rings for the same condition comes at a high cost.
as a benefit. For example, an ad might read “ask for equalizing rings
to insure uniform bellows movements and conservative design.”

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