ELASTOMERIC EXPANSION JOINTS | RUBBER FLEXIBLE JOINT

ELASTOMERIC EXPANSION JOINTS

RUGAVAL Elastomeric expansion joints serve many functions in modern piping systems including absorbing all directional movements, reducing noise and vibration, resisting shock, relieving pipe and anchor stresses, compensating for misalignment and providing access to piping and equipment. Many of these functions are not accomplished with alternative methods like metallic expansion joints or expansion loops. Unfortunately, expansion joints in general can be misapplied with serious consequences. A reliable piping system requires an understanding of both the expansion joint's basic functions and the overall piping system's requirements.

Functional Capabilities

The main purposes of an elastomeric expansion joint are to reduce noise and vibration and accept all directional thermal movements. They reduce noise and vibration by creating a discontinuity between pipe materials. Any rotating equipment, such as a centrifugal pump, will create noise and vibration via unbalanced forces. The frequency and amplitude of vibration depends on the pump's speed and type. The elastomeric expansion joint acts to attenuate these disturbing frequencies and absorb the energy. This minimises the transmission of noise, vibration and stresses into the adjacent piping or equipment.

The flexible body of an elastomeric expansion joint also accepts the piping thermal movements in all directions (refer pictures above). Thermal movements are an important consideration in any system design. Depending on the temperature change, material and pipe length, thermal movements can be large enough to generate forces that can quickly exceed allowable pipe stresses. Expansion joints allow movement in the compression, extension, lateral, torsional and angular directions and absorb the thermal stresses.

Elastomeric expansion joints are also widely used because of their excellent resistance to shock and wear. Shock and bending loads are generated in piping systems from water hammer, pressure surges and seismic events. Expansion joints work as shock absorbers to accept these forces and displacements and protect the system from damage. In addition, the elastomeric material provides excellent resistance to wear and cyclic loading, particularly compared to its metallic counterparts.

It is common in both new construction and replacement applications to encounter pipe misalignment. The elastomeric expansion joint compensates for misalignment and provides access to piping and equipment.

ELASTOMERIC EXPANSION JOINTS | RUBBER FLEXIBLE JOINT

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