Designing Systems to Compensate for Thermal Expansion and Contraction

Things We Have Learned From Being Sued

6 Model MC - 6 Corrugations Anchor Load @ 150psi - 11,600#

This is why you should use guides

RiserF3Floor425Room24

Use Any Natural Flexibility In The piping layout

2008 ASHRAE Handbook Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment Chapter 45

For a Basic Expansion Elbow

Hard Pipe Anchor

L=

3DE (144in/ft)SA
= Thermal expansion of leg AB = Pipe Outside Diameter = Modulus of Elasticity = Allowable Stress Anchor

B L C

Where D E SA

Or this can be simplified to L = 6.225 D

For a Basic Expansion Z Bend

Hard Pipe

L = 4 D

Where D E SA

= Thermal expansion of leg AB = Pipe Outside Diameter = Modulus of Elasticity = Allowable Stress

Anchor

X
Guide

Anchor

L L

Guide Anchor to Anchor Expansion

So what kind of expansion joint to use?

For a Basic Expansion Loop

Hard Pipe

L = 6.225 D W = L/5 H = 2*W

Anchor Guide

Where D E SA

= Thermal expansion of run = Pipe Outside Diameter = Modulus of Elasticity = Allowable Stress

Anchor

X
2H 2H
Guide Anchor to Anchor Expansion

Hard Loops Pro/Con

Pro
Same material as the rest of piping
Constructed on site Medium anchor loads Grandfather used em

Con
Constructed on site, costly to fabricate, hang and insulate Needs lots of room High lateral loads on moment guides.

Flexible Expansion Loop

V Loops

The flexible pipe loop is also smaller and has less anchor load than a hard pipe loop

Hose Basics

Corrugated stainless steel hose by itself has great hoop strength, but poor tensile strength

Virtually any amount of movement

Cap weld, welding the hose, braid and collar together

Weld the End Fitting to the Hose

On a flex loop the braid is the anchor

4 Sch 40 Carbon Steel With Hard Pipe Expansion 90 Anchor with 582 pounds force 2.85 Exp.

4 Sch 40 Carbon Steel With H&B Dog Leg Anchor with 180 pounds force

165 Feet

2.85 Exp.

Guides

165 Feet

Guides

19 Feet

X
19 Feet 50 Feet .59 Exp.

3 Feet

X
3 Feet 50 Feet .59 Exp.

Hose & Braid

Flexible Loop Pro/Con

Pro
Very compact Large movement Standard or custom fit Least expensive option Seismic capable Lowest anchor loads, almost no structural considerations. Minimal guiding requirements No maintenance

Con
Some pressure limitations

 Axial movement Lateral movement Angular movement

Axial Bellows Externally Pressurized Axial Bellows

Theres a lot of choices of Bellows

Untied Double Bellows

Gimbal Bellows

Dual Tied Bellows

Single Hinge Bellows

Double Hinged Bellows

Internally Pressurized

Externally Pressurized

Capable of Axial, Lateral and Angular movements.

Axial movement only

Expansion Compensators

externally pressurized

Atmosphere

Built in Liner

Squirm- Strut Instability - Limits the movement of internally pressurized bellows The balance between the number of convolutions needed for the movement exceeds the stability of the bellows

Internally Pressurized Bellows

Axial

Are Primarily Designed to Handle Axial Movement

On the other hand, a dual-tied bellows moves

Axially

And laterally

Dual-tied bellows joint

Anchors

Calculating forces on anchors

Pressure Thrust
Pressure X effective area ( Use test pressure if greater )

Deflection Load
Published Spring Rate X movement of the joint

Frictional Resistance
Total weight of pipe, media, insulation & equip. X coefficient

Calculating forces on anchors

Pressure Thrust
Pressure X effective area ( Use test pressure if greater ) Example: 4= 35.96 sq. in effective area x 125 PSI = 4495 #.

To calculate the thrust load: Effective Areas

Pressure Thrust for the Model MC Ring Controlled Self-Equalizing Expansion Joint

The average car weighs only 3000#

Deflection Load (spring rate)

Totally independent of pressure or temperature

Deflection Load on Anchors Published Spring Rate X Actual movement of the

joint Example: 4 with 6 Axial = Spring rate of 143 lbs/in X 4.3 (total amount of expansion) = 614.9 lbs

Calculating forces on anchors

Frictional Resistance
Total weight of pipe, media, insulation & equip. X coeff. Example 4 sch. 40 pipe at 10.8 #/ft x 75 ft = 1890 # 4 pipe internal area 12.73 sq.in. / 144 in. per sq.ft. = 0.088 cu.ft. x 175 linear ft. = 15.4 cu.ft. total volume 125 PSI steam = 3.23 cu.ft. per pound = 4.76# weight add guides & joint & insulation at 500# Total 2395# x 0.3 Coeff. = 719# frictional resistance

Total Anchor Force 4495 614 719 Pressure Thrust Deflection Load Friction Resistance

5,828.9 lbs force

The engineer may add other loads such as snow, ice, wind, based on project conditions

Intermediate Anchors
Intermediate anchors between expansion devices do not see the full load.
Intermediate Anchor

X
Expansion Joint Main Anchor

Main Anchor

EJMA recommends to design intermediate anchors for the spring load of one of the joints

Anchors at fittings can have multidirectional loads

Force

X
Expansion Joint Main Anchor

X
Force

Expansion Joint Location Makes a Difference

Guiding

Column strength of pipe.

Remember our Example

Total Anchor Force 4495 614 719 Pressure Thrust Deflection Load Friction Resistance

5,828.9 lbs force

LINERS
When velocity is high and could set up vibration in bellows Compressed air lines Exhaust gases Abrasive flow media Rule of Thumb :When velocity > 10 FPS

Install 1st. Guide a max. of 4 pipe dia. From the expansion joint. Install 2nd. Guide a max. of 14 pipe dia. From the 1st. Guide. Additional guides as per EJMA recommendations

Bellows Pro/Con
Pro
Low/ no pressure drop Very compact No maintenance Custom fit Easy to insulate Externally pressurizedlarge movement

Con
High anchor loads Engineered anchors Considerable guiding requirements Torque can be a problem

Slip type Joints

Slip Type Joint

Slip Joint construction detail

Ball Joints

Always in, at least pairs Similar construction with Slip joints Same maintenance issues

Slip Type Pro/Con

Pro
Low/ no pressure drop Very compact Large movement Custom fit

Con
High anchor loads Engineered anchors Crucial and Considerable guiding requirements Very High maintenance packing frequently needed Low or no cycling is a detriment. Very expensive

12

250

75

85

75

75

150

150

Lets Start With Determining The Pipe Size and Pipe Dimensions

To Calculate Expansion
1 Determine design temperature for example 200 F. 2 Establish installation temperature - For example 50 F 3 Find the expansion rate per 100 feet 1.179 / 100 feet for steel 1.728 / 100 feet for copper 4 Determine the length of pipe run for example 165 feet 5 Multiply the expansion rate by the length. (165 / 100) X 1.179 = 1.94 Expansion 6 If the joint is for both thermal and seismic, the values must be added together!

For An Example
Lets use Pipe Material Service Design Temperature Installation Temperature Temperature Difference T Expansion Rate L Carbon Steel Hot Water 200F 50 F 150F 1.179 inches / 100 Feet

Lets Calculate How Much The Pipe Will Expand

8 1.77 0.88 1.77 150 12 250 2.95 75 0.88 85 1.0 75 0.88 75 6 150

Lets Establish The Anchor Points

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

X
250 2.95

X
75 0.88 1.77 0.88 150

X
6

X
75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

First First checkfor for check Natural Natural Flexibility Flexibility

Keep in Mind 90 changes in direction are the most efficient piping configuration to use to take up thermal expansion or contraction. Smaller angles will compound the movements!

Next, Use Any Natural Flexibility Of The System

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

22

X
250 2.95

X
75 0.88

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

Next, Complete The System With Flexible Pipe Loops

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

MLW80800 8

12

MLW81200 250 2.95 75 0.88

22

MLW30600

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

Or, Complete The System With Expansion Joints

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

22

X
250 2.95 Dont forget about the guides. Note the placement of the Metragators

X
75 0.88

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

What if the 75 foot run was only 18 feet?

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

22

X
250 2.95

X
75 0.88

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

Option 1 Use a Hose & Braid Dog Leg

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

40

X
250 2.95

X
18 0.21

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

(typ)

12

250 2.95

18 0.21

18

150

Anchor

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

Option 2 Add an Anchor, and another expansion device

Anchor
(typ)

Next, Complete The System With Flexible Pipe Loops

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

MLW80800 8

12

250 2.95

18 0.21 MLW30800

MLW81200

18

MLW30600

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150

Or with Expansion Joints

Anchor
(typ)

Anchor
(typ)

12

250 2.95

18 0.21

22

13

X
6

X
0.88 75 75 0.88

85 1.0

1.77

150

1.77

150