Piping Input menu: Model > Expansion Joint 
Input Tools toolbar: Expansion Joint Modeler
Shortcut key: CTRL+J
Creates expansion joints and displays the Expansion Joint Database <data file> and Expansion Joint Modeler dialog boxes.
The software displays expansion joints in blue.
Expansion Joint Dialog Box
CAESAR II automatically generates an expansion joint model from catalog data. The catalog used may be selected in the CAESAR II Configure/Setup routine. You decide where in the model the expansion joint should go, that is, between which two nodes, and the modeler assembles the completed joint. Selectable joint styles include Untied, Tied, Hinged, Gimbaled, Untied-Universal, and Tied Universal expansion joints.
An example selection session is illustrated as follows.
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You can select any of four material types. These material types are used to adjust the bellows stiffnesses to the actual highest temperature in the model. This typically results in higher stiffnesses than those shown in the vendor's catalog because the stiffnesses in the catalog may be based on a higher design temperature.
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You can select any combination of end types.
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Bellows, liner, cover, rod, and hinge or gimbal assembly weights are looked up from the stored database and automatically included in the expansion joint model.
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For universal joints, the minimum allowed length is stored, but when the available space exceeds the minimum allowed, you are prompted for the length that you want the expansion joint assembly to occupy.
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The last screen that follows shows the "proposed" model before it is inserted into the CAESAR II input. This allows you to investigate the characteristics of several joints before settling on one.
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Actual maximum pressure ratings are also a part of the database, and in many cases exceed the nominal pressure rating shown in the catalog. You can use pressures up to these actual allowed maximums.
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Allowed joint movements are also stored as part of the database and are printed with each proposed model. These values should be recorded for use in checking the model after a successful design pass has been completed.
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Pressure thrust is included in the modeling considerations for each of the expansion joint styles, removing this concern.
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In the case of "tied" expansion joints, rigid elements are used to model the tie-bars. Restraints with connecting nodes are used to contain the pressure thrust, and to keep the ends of the expansion joint parallel.
