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Performs elastic analysis for the stresses due to internal and external pressures, and closing or opening of a metal bellows expansion joint typically used in piping systems and heat exchangers. The maximum combined stress is used to calculate the cycle life of the joint, which is based on the appropriate formula in the ASME Code, Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 26, 2015 Edition. The MAWP/MAPnc will also be computed for the bellows.
Thin Joints enables engineers and designers to evaluate or design metal bellows expansion joints. Because the module uses ASME Code procedures for evaluating these joints, the calculations are acceptable to fabricators, engineering contractors, and petrochemical companies. Thus a consistent design basis and a simple way to perform the calculations will be established, and individual engineers will be effective in evaluating these critical components.
Thin Joints calculates the required thickness and elastic stresses using formulas in ASME Section VIII Code, Division 1, Appendix 26. These formulas take into account both internal and external pressures, and axial joint movement. The appendix covers both reinforced and un-reinforced expansion joints for U-shaped and toroidal types with multiple convolutions and up to a 0.2 inch nominal thickness.
Each curve in Appendix 26 was digitized. The program picks points off of the curves and interpolates for the results used in the stress calculations. These parameters are displayed as part of the output.
If the selected joint is reinforced or un-reinforced, the software performs the various stress and cycle life computations for that joint type. Thus, there will be no extraneous output for a joint type that is not of interest. In addition, for reinforced expansion joints, the stresses in the reinforcing element and any bolted fastener, which may be holding the ring together, are calculated as well.