Expansion Joint Deformation

This table displays linear and rotational expansion joint deformation as projections on coordinate axes. Linear deformation represents mutual pipe end displacement, while rotational deformation shows mutual rotation of pipe ends. Deformation sign depends on local axes direction of adjoining elements.

For universal expansion joints, relative displacements are checked using:

Add torsion rotation term if allowable torsion values are available.

For axial expansion joints, equivalent axial deformation ratio calculates as:

Lb – Corrugated bellows length
Lu – Distance between convolution ends
Dm – Mean bellows convolution diameter

For single-use compensators, deformation values display for welding moment conditions (at welding temperature specified in Project Settings).

Table view and content depend on these properties:

Property	Description
Operating Mode	Select operation mode for result display "Maximum" displays maximum values from all operation modes View results from additional force-based loadings including seismic, wind, and ice loading
Design state selection	Software calculates multiple submodes (piping states) for each operating mode: Maximum value (abs.) - Maximum deformation absolute values from all states (Operation state, Cold state, Test state, After welding single use compensators) Operating mode with pressure Operating mode with no pressure Cold mode After welding single use compensators After testing See force and effect combination for details.
Occasional Loads	Maximum + Seismic - Includes seismic load cases Maximum and minimum + Seismic
Axis	Linear and rotational deformation displayed as projections on coordinate axes: Local Axis (Design/Allowable) (Xm, Ym, Zm) - In local expansion joint coordinate system with design axial, shear, angular bending and torsion deformation compared to allowable values Global Axis (X, Y, Z) - Δ_X, Δ_Y, Δ_Z, φ_X, φ_Y, φ_Z (fig. 1.a) Local Axis (Xm, Ym, Zm) - In local element coordinate system Δ_Xm, Δ_Ym, Δ_Zm, φ_Xm, φ_Ym, φ_Zm (fig. 1.b) Fig. 1. Expansion joint deformation in global and local coordinate systems

Notes

Note	Description
Expansion joint skew exceeds allowed	Expansion joint skew conditions not met . More...
Deformation exceeds axial expansion	Condition not met. Actual equivalent axial deformation exceeds allowable axial expansion Δ_k. Modify piping model or expansion joint properties. More...
Deformation exceeds rotational expansion	Actual rotational deformation exceeds allowable rotational expansion. Modify piping model or expansion joint properties.
Deformation exceeds lateral expansion	Actual lateral deformation exceeds allowable lateral expansion. Modify piping model or expansion joint properties.

Menu Access

After analysis: Output > Expansion Joint Deformations