Finite element analysis and experimental study on a bellows joint

Bellows joint is a critical part of an underground pipeline system, which can undergo severe damage such as breaking, crushing, and bending under a strong earthquake. In our research work, finite element analysis (FEA) of the bellows joint was studied using LS-DYNA. Single convolution and multi-convolution bellows joints applied with different loadings were investigated. Force - displacement curve, plastic strain distribution and bending moment - angular displacement curve were obtained. Furthermore, low frequency cyclic experiment on 4-convolution bellows joints was conducted and the results from the experiment were compared with the results from FEA. The load capacity of the multi-convolution bellows joint was almost the same as the single convolution bellows joint, and the energy absorption increased with the number of the convolution linearly. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.