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.