Why An Expansion Joint Works Part One

How does a thin bellows hold the same pressure as that of a thicker pipe?

The hoop stress pressure of a pipe is derived and then a comparison is made to how it is calculated for a metal bellows. This is the basis for the equation found in both the ASME code and the EJMA design manual. Metal bellows pressure increasing reinforcement options such as root rings and T-rings are reviewed. This is a video that is of interest to design, piping, and vessel engineers.