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JointsOn-Site ServicesDampersProduct Downloads Equalizing Rings and Root RingsDesign Philosophy on When to Use Rings to Reinforce a BellowsSenior Flexonics Pathways philosophy is to design bellows without reinforcing rings, root rings or equalizing rings if at all possible to minimize cost. With proper use of the design equations from the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association (EJMA) standards and state-of-the-art bellows forming equipment (roll forming and expanding mandrel forming), ring type bellows reinforcement can usually be avoided by adjusting the bellows wall thickness and convolution height.When the design conditions require that a bellows be reinforced with ring elements, Senior Flexonics Pathway engineers choose the type of reinforcement on the basis of cost from the options at right. The lowest cost reinforcement is a bar stock root ring or pipe style root ring. When more cross sectional area is required to withstand the stated design conditions, reinforcement can be added by using a 2 piece ring or by going to the more costly machined bar stock root ring.The term equalizing ring refers to bellows ring shapes similar to the details at the right. The word equalizing implies that the movement of each individual convolution is to be controlled by the equalizing rings (the word control rings is also used occasionally). The equalizing rings do limit the amount of compressive movement per convolution because the rings bottom out against one another when the convolutions have collapsed the amount that is allowed by the initial space between the rings. The benefi t from this is questionable because the rings bottom out only after the bellows have moved the maximum amount possible. This is generally more than the design movement. If the expansion joint undergoes lateral offset or angular motion, the convolutions tilt with respect to one another in service. This means that the equalizing rings would only equalize movement in one spot at best. For expansion joints that extend in service, it is diffi cult to determine any benefi t from equalizing rings.Equalizing rings also have some disadvantages. The exterior ring that defi nes the space between the convolutions covers up the bellows from view. It is nearly impossible to visually inspect this style of bellows in service. Dye penetrant examination of the exterior of the bellows is out of the question. Also, rings of any sort create crevices on the bellows outside surface which can accelerate corrosion. Hard foreign materials can also collect in the crevices and indent the bellows.The early manufacturers of expansion joints in the U.S. (Zallea Brothers for example) were limited to hydraulic forming techniques. The forming process required the use of reinforcement rings to satisfy the bellows design conditions for nearly al I steam service expansion joints and most expansion joints that would be used for FCC process lines. For steam service expansion joints, the rings were usually castings. It was convenient and low cost to provide a cast shape that looked like the equalizing ring profi le. Since the rings were a manufacturing necessity for companies limited to hydraulic forming techniques, the need for the rings was often sold as a benefi t. For example, an ad might read ask for equalizing rings to insure uniform bellows movements and conservative design.The term equalizing rings has been in use for a long time and there are many specifi ers that still ask for equalizing rings whether or not the design conditions require any sort of reinforcement. Senior Flexonics Pathways design philosophy is to propose the use of equalizing rings if they are required by the specifi cation, regard less of real need. As an alternate, Senior Flexonics Pathway engineers will generally recommend the use of bar type or pipe style root rings because of the substantial cost savings. When equalizing rings are specifi ed but the design conditions and applicable codes do not require that the Senior Flexonics Pathway design contain any reinforcement, it is

Senior Flexonics Pathways philosophy to recommend against the use of rings altogether in the interest of offering the most effi cient and cost effective design.For certain services, such as FCC process lines, it may be benefi cial to include root rings regardless of design requirements to provide additional pressure containment in case of an upset. However, any added benefi t that may be achieved by the use of equalizing rings for the same condition comes at a high cost. Rings, Equalizing A Tee shaped reinforcing ring that limits the axial compression of each convolution to the gap that exists between each reinforcing ring.