Piping systems, design expansion joints

A piping system containing expansion joints shall be leak tested without temporary joint or anchor restraint at the lesser of 150% of design pressure for a bellows-type expansion joint or the system test pressure determined in accordance with para. IP-10.6. In no case shall a bellows-type expansion joint be subjected to a test pressure greater than the manufacturer s test pressure. 

Thermal expansion and the resultant pipe stresses must be considered in any piping system design. For example, if the temperature changes from 50 to 600°F, the increase in length would be 4.9 in. per 100 ft for steel pipe and 7.3 in. per 100 ft for brass pipe. This amount of thermal expansion could easily cause a pipe or wall to buckle if the pipe were fastened firmly at each end with no allowances for expansion. The necessary flexibility for the piping system can be provided by the use of expansion loops, changes in direction, bellows joints, slip joints, and other devices. 

The selection and appHcation of an expansion joint is not as simple as selecting a pipe fitting or a valve and requires a sound understanding of the joint s capabihties and limitations. Improper appHcation of any type of joint can result in serious or damaging effects. However, when properly selected and integrated into the piping system, satisfactory service and safe operation can be expected. Selection and appHcation of beUows expansion joints require special attention to design and installation. 

FIG. 10-170 Hinged expansion joint. (From Kellogg, Design of Piping Systems, Wiley, New York, 1965.)... 

If unbalanced layouts cannot be avoided, appropriate analytical methods must be apphed to assure adequate flexibility. If the designer determines that a piping system does not have adequate inherent flexibility, additional flexibility may be provided by adding bends, loops, offsets, swivel joints, corrugated pipe, expansion joints of the bellows or slip-joint type, or other devices. Suitable anchoring must be provided. 

Tyres are normally cured in a modification of the compression mould where a bladder or an inflated airbag forces and holds the green rubber stock of the tyre against the mould surface during vulcanization. This force reproduces the design of the tyre tread and the heat from the steam is introduced into the bladder to effect the vulcanization. Small size rubber expansion joints used in piping systems are moulded by compression moulding... 

A system to employ standardized design details wherever possible, for example for steelwork connections, expansion joints, cranerail support, column bases, ladders, stairwells, tank platforms, and miscellaneous pipe supports. 

The structural engineer will need this load data to properly design their foundations and structures to accommodate these loads. The vessel engineer will need this data to determine the local stresses imposed by the installed transfer lines. The piping engineer will need the loads, forces and expansion data to determine if expansion joints are needed in the system. The skin temperatures are needed to determine the allowable stresses of the steel jackets. 

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