Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 97, Number 4, February25 2026 , pages 489-504
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2026.97.4.489
 


Numerical simulation and experimental validation of the seismic performance of 3ply bellows joints systems
Dongchang Kim, Bub-Gyu Jeon, Young-Soo Jeong, Jinseok Yu, Seunghyun Eem

 
Abstract
    Piping systems are crucial components in both industry and society. Earthquakes can damage these systems through low-cycle fatigue or excessive displacement caused by large cyclic loads. Such damage can lead to gas and water leaks, resulting in fires, explosions, and flooding. Therefore, piping systems must be designed to withstand earthquakes, necessitating the use of seismic separation joints or devices. One effective countermeasure against earthquakes is the bellows expansion joint, which is a type of seismic separation joint. In this study, a 3-ply bellow expansion joint was developed to respond to earthquakes. The displacement-load curve was assessed using compression-tensile and bending cyclic loading tests to evaluate the seismic performance and limit state of the developed 3-ply bellows expansion joint. In the compression-tensile cyclic load test, leakage occurred at a displacement of 57.680 mm after 33 repetitions. In the cyclic bending load test, leakage was observed at a displacement of 132.070 mm after 36 repetitions. Additionally, a simplified numerical model for the 3-ply bellow expansion joints was constructed based on the experimental result. The model coincides well with the cyclic loading test results of the 3-ply bellows expansion joint, achieving fitness values of 85.29% for compression–tensile loading and 79.02% for bending. Consequently, the numerical model can be effectively used to understand and design the behavior characteristics of 3-ply bellows expansion joints.
 
Key Words
    3-ply bellows expansion joint; cyclic loading test; piping system; seismic performance; simplified numerical model
 
Address
Dongchang Kim: School of Convergence & Fusion System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
Bub-Gyu Jeon: Seismic Research and Test Center, Pusan National University, 49 Busandaehak-ro, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
Young-Soo Jeong: Seismic Research and Test Center, Pusan National University, 49 Busandaehak-ro, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
Jinseok Yu: Taesung Flexible Co., 180 Gomo-ro, Gimhae-si,50875, Republic of Korea
Seunghyun Eem: School of Convergence & Fusion System Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
 

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