*Author for correspondence Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 9(32), DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i32/94320, August 2016 ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846 ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645 A Review on Application of Bellows Expansion Joints and Effect of Design Parameters on System Characteristics A. Vinoth * , B. Vignesh, Lakshya Khurana, and Aditya Rai Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur - 603203, Tamil Nadu, India; avinot@gmail.com Keywords: Bellows Expansion Joints, Buckling, Fatigue, Shape of Convolution, Vibration Abstract Objectives: A bellows expansion joint is an assembly of two or more bellows which help to tackle expansion or contraction in the system where it is designed to fit in. It was found, various independent researchers did lot of research in the design and geometry of bellows expansion joint but a review of all is scare, we have put forth the different possible features of bellows design in this paper. Methods/Analysis: The bellows, consisting of one or more convolutions, are designed to offer further agility in the configuration of piping structures and pressure vessel applications involving thermal expansion and relative movement in system. Numerous researchers have conducted studies on bellows expansion joints with the help of standards such as ASME and EJMA. They have wide applications and are understood as a significant. Thus various parameters pertaining to the design of bellows expansion joints, which affect the characteristics of the system, have been reviewed. Findings: From this review, it can be said that for all the design condition, there was not bellow geometry or design parameters are superior. Under such designs based on the standards, it is expected to perform exhaustive analysis involving sound engineering judgment. Meanwhile, the choice of bellows expansion joint is sufficiently broad depending upon the applications. Improvement: Certainly there is still room for new design principles and analysis based on analytical, experimental and FEA studies. Particularly, study of bellows subjected to torsions may be done as little is found in the literature and the existing standards. 1. Introduction Oſten, thermal expansion, vibration, equipment move- ment, or abrupt changes in system pressure leads to detrimental movements in a piping structure. ese changes affect the system and thus calls in for an addi- tional mechanism to balance the movements and pressure changes in the piping system, ducts or pressure vessels, and the supporting medium. is additional supporting element is called the bellows expansion joint compris- ing of one or more convolutions (bellows) with ends anchored to the pipeline. ese compensators are devised to take in movements that occur in a stationary position, angular rotation, lateral deflection or any combination of the three. Numerous researches have been conducted on bel- lows expansion joints, of which the work of Andersson 1,2 is considered a breakthrough. His theoretical calculations form the basis of other publications and standards such as the pressure vessels and piping codes of ASME. However, the most authoritarian and comprehensive text is that of the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association (EJMA) 3 , which combines the knowledge and field experience of leading manufacturers of bellows expansion joint. is paper presents a review of structural analysis of bellows expansion joints with emphasis on application areas and effective parameters involved in its design