Garlock Expansion Joints Installation Manual
Advancing the Science of Sealing
Expansion Joints
Installation and Maintenance Manual
™
Garlock Sealing Technologies
Contents
Elastomeric Expansion Joints
Definition and Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Construction Details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Design Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control Units
Definition and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Standard Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Special Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Measuring and Evaluating Misalignment
Flange-to-Flange Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Angular Misalignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Lateral Misalignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Torsional Misalignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Concurrent Misalignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Installation Procedures
Removal of Old Expansion Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Joint Handling and Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Preparation for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Joint Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Control Unit Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Maintenance Procedures
Visual and Physical Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Troubleshooting Control Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Life Expectancy of Elastomeric Joints
Storage Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Shelf Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacement Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Appendix
Tables I-V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Elastomeric Expansion Joints
Definition and Function
1. Flexible Connector - An elastomeric expansion joint
is a specially designed section of pipe inserted within
a rigid piping system to provide flexibility.
2. Stress Relief - Pipe stress caused by thermal
expansion/contraction or foundation settlement can
be handled by expansion joints.
3. Minor Misalignment - Standard expansion joints
can withstand a minimal amount of existing lateral,
torsional, angular or concurrent misalignment.
Contact the manufacturer for specifics.
4. Isolate/Reduce Vibration - Oscillating movement
around the axis of the expansion joint can be
effectively dampened, eliminating the transmission of
this vibration - preventing equipment damage/failure.
5. Dampen Sound Transmission - Using rubber
flanges, expansion joints can lower the transmission
of undesirable noises.
6. Multiple Arch Type - Expansion joints with up to
four arches may be manufactured to handle greater
movements than a single arch. The movement capa-
bility of a multiple arch expansion joint is typically
that of a single arch type multiplied by the number of
arches. (See Figures 1, 2 & Table I)
7. Natural/Synthetic Elastomer - A wide variety of
elastomers are available to meet specific demands
of industrial applications.
8. Fabric/Metal Reinforced - The strength in an
elastomeric expansion joint is derived from design
features, combined with rubber impregnated layers
of fabric and internal metal reinforcement. (See
Figures 1 & 2)
9. Fabric Reinforcement - In these styles, wide
flowing arch (Figure 3) and U-type (Figure 4), fabric
is used to effectively handle design
parameters outlined.
10. Resistance To Corrosive Media - Special elas-
tomeric liners and covers may be utilized to pro long life of the expansion joint when corrosives are
present.
11. Resistance To Abrasive Media - Abrasive media
may be handled more effectively if a special tube/
liner is used; ie: gum rubber, increasing thick ness
of layers (rubber), steel flow liner, etc.
12. Temperature Capability - Depending on the elas tomer selected, elastomeric expansion joints can
handle a range of -40°F (-40°C) to 400°F (205°C).
Construction Details
Elastomeric expansion joints are constructed of three
basic elements: the tube, the body or carcass, and the
cover. The construction details are shown in Figures 1-4
and each element is defined as follows:
1. Tube - Consists of a protective, leakproof lining
which may be made of synthetic or natural rubber,
depending on operating conditions. The tube is
seamless and it extends through the bore of the joint
to the outside edges of the flanges. Its purpose is to
eliminate the possibility of the materials being
handled from penetrating the carcass and weaken ing the fabric. Tubes can be designed to handle a
wide range of service conditions for chemical, petro leum, sewage, gaseous, and abrasive materials.
When evaluating a specific application, the media
will dictate the type of elastomer needed; ie:
fluoroelastomer (VITON
nitrile, EPDM, HYPALON
rubber, or neoprene elastomers are frequently
specified. FDA- approved materials such as white
neoprene or white EPDM elastomers are also
available.
2. Body or Carcass - Consists of fabric/metal rein forcement. Expansion joints with a combination of
fabric and metal reinforcement are shown in Figures
1 & 2. The expansion joints in Figures 3 & 4 have
fabric reinforcement only.
a. Fabric Reinforcement - The flexible and support-
ing member between the tube and cover. Standard
constructions normally utilize high qual-
VITON and HYPALON are registered trademarks of DuPont Dow
Elastomers.
®
), FEP fluorocarbon,
®
, chlorobutyl, gum
1
Construction Details (cont’d)
Design Types
ity synthetic fabric such as polyester, nylon
®
tire cord or fiberglass/KEVLAR
. Natural fabrics
are also used depending on temperature and pres sure requirements. All fabric plies are impregnated
with a compatible elastomer in order to maintain a
superior bond as well as flexibility.
b. Metal Reinforcement - Consists of solid steel rings
imbedded in the carcass of the expansion joint. The
steel rings reinforce the expansion joint and provide
the dimensional stability needed for pressure or
vacuum service. They are formed from AISI 1018 or
other high strength materials and are either round
or rectangular (see Figures 1 & 2).
3. Cover - A homogeneous layer of rubber com pound bonded to the exterior of the expansion joint.
The prime function of the cover is to protect the
carcass from outside damage. Special elastomers
can be supplied to resist chemicals oils, sunlight,
acid, fumes, and ozone. Environmental conditions
will dictate the exterior of the expansion joint for
additional protection.
The design types of elastomeric expansion joints are
shown in Figures 1 thru 4. The benefits of each type are
described:
Open Arch Expansion Joint
Figure 1 shows a standard spool type expansion joint.
The joint has one open abrupt arch, which is utilized
absorb movements in piping systems. The flanges of
the expansion joint are integral with the body and are
drilled to conform to the bolting pattern of the metal
flanges of the pipe line. This type of rubber faced flange
is of sufficient thickness to form a leakproof seal against
the metal flanges without the use of gaskets.
Expansion joints with two or more arches may be manufactured to accommodate greater movement. Multiple
arch expansion joints are capable of handling the movements of a single arch expansion joint multiplied by the
number of arches.
Therefore, movement dictates the number of arches
required, subsequently the number of arches dictates
face-to-face allowance. See Appendix, Table I for added
information on face-to-face dimensions and typical
movement capabilities of open arch expansion joints.
to
KEVLAR is a registered trademark of DuPont.
2
Flange O.D.
Bolt Circle Diameter
Joint I.D.
Face-to-Face (FF)
Figure 1
Cross sectional view of single open arch expansion joint.
Bolt Hole
Diameter
Bolt Hole
Tube
Carcass Fabric
Reinforcement
Carcass Metal
Reinforcement
Cover
Design Types (cont’d)
The expansion joint is reinforced with fabric plies and
round or rectangular body rings. The number of fabric
plies and metal rings is directly proportional to the pressure rating of the expansion joint. Utilization of metal
body rings provides the dimensional stability needed
for vacuum and pressure service. Typical pressure and
vacuum ratings of expansion joints in Figure 1 are listed in
Appendix, Table V. Service temperature of the expansion
joint depends on the materials of construction.
Expansion joints constructed of polyester fabric and chlorobutyl are rated for temperatures up to 250°F (121°C).
®
EPDM and fiberglass/KEVLAR
fabric allows for up to
300°F (149°C) service. When constructed of fiberglass/
®
KEVLAR
fabric and fluoroelastomer they can withstand
temperatures up to 400°F (204°C).
Always contact the manufacturer before specifying and
purchasing expansion joints for your specific application.
Filled Arch Expansion Joint
The open arch design of Figure 1 may be modified to
reduce turbulence and to prevent the entrapment of
solids. Shown in Figure 2 is a standard arch type elastomeric expansion joint manufactured with a bonded, lower
durometer rubber arch filler to provide a smooth interior
bore. Filled arches built as an integral part of the carcass
decrease the flexibility of the joint and should be used
only when necessary. Using a filled arch expansion joint
reduces movement capabilities by 50%.
Filled arch expansion joints can be constructed to handle
the same temperature, pressure and vacuum requirements as open arch expansion joints. For typical pressure and vacuum capabilities, refer to Appendix, Table V.
Face-to-Face (FF)
Flange O.D.
Bolt Circle Diameter
Joint I.D.
Soft
Arch
Filler
Figure 2
Cross sectional view of filled arch expansion joint.
Bolt Hole
Diameter
Bolt Hole
Tube
Carcass Fabric
Reinforcement
Carcass Metal
Reinforcement
Cover
KEVLAR is a registered trademark of DuPont.
3
Design Types (cont’d)
Flowing Arch Expansion Joint
Figure 3 shows a self-flushing or flowing arch expansion
joint. The streamlined flowing arch reduces turbulence and
allows smooth, quiet flow. There is no possibility of sediment build-up and no need to fill the arch, so movement
is not restricted.
The expansion joint is constructed of high strength nylon
tire cord without any metal reinforcement. As a result, the
expansion joint is very flexible, with up to 30% greater
ability to absorb compression movement over the open
arch expansion joint. For added information on movement
capabilities of the flowing arch expansion joints, refer to
Appendix, Table I.
Flange O.D.
Bolt Circle Diameter
Joint I.D.
The nylon tire cord fabric provides an exceptionally high
temperature range of -40°F (-40°C) to 250°F (121°C). The
high-strength fabric also produces an expansion joint with
an exceptional burst pressure rating; however, without
metal reinforcement, its vacuum rating is reduced. See
Appendix, Table V for typical pressure and vacuum ratings
of flowing arch expansion joints.
Bolt Hole
Diameter
Bolt Hole
Face-to-Face (FF)
Tube
Carcass Fabric
Reinforcement
Cover
Figure 3
Cross sectional view of flowing arch expansion joint.
4
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