MATERIAL DATA PAPER

EXPANSION JOINTS WITH TIE RODS

How Tied Expansion Joints are properly used to Reduce Main Anchor Loads

A single bellows type expansion joint will exert a pres-

sure thrust force on the main anchors of a pipe system
equal to the internal pressure times the effective area of
the bellows. The spring force to compress the bellows
is additive to the-pressure thrust force.

A tied expansion joint has tie rods that cross the bel-
lows. The tie rods are designed to take the full pressure
thrust of the bellows.

Tied expansion joints can be used to reduce main

anchor loads by eliminating pressure thrust forces for
applications in which there is NO AXIAL COMPRES-
SION.

If a tied expansion joint is compressed axially, the tie

rod nuts no longer contact the lugs. Therefore, all of
the pressure thrust force is imposed upon the main
anchors.

Tied expansion joints can be designed to move axially.

However, in this case, tie rods only serve the purpose
of limiting the movement of the bellows in the event of
a failure of a main anchor.

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