Rubber Expansion Joint Failure

Added on wed jun 29 2011.

Rubber expansion joint failure.

We have divided the list of some of the most common causes of expansion joint failure into three groups based upon the actions that can be attributed to them. During routine inspections signs of fatigue and or premature failure can be easily detected in rubber expansion joints long before the actual failure occurs. Unlike metal expansion joints the majority of failures related to rubber expansion joints are not catastrophic in nature. An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to hold parts together while safely absorbing temperature induced expansion and contraction of building materials and vibration or to allow movement due to ground settlement or seismic activity.

Expansion joints failure is caused by corrosion erosion cyclic fatigue or thermal creep at elevated temperatures. What are the failures of expansion joints. It will also discuss failure analysis of rubber expansion joints and some of the leading causes of joint failure. 1 prior to start up.

Bellows pipe expansion joints which have been properly designed and manufactured for specified piping system conditions have given many years of satisfactory service. Typical causes of pipe expansion joint failure. Rubber bellows can crack if they are over pressurized or placed in a harsh environment. Common signs of rubber expansion joint fatigue.

Below is an except from the white paper discussing failure analysis of rubber expansion joints and what it can tell you about the overall health of your piping system. Neoprene rubber expansion joint read more. They are commonly found between sections of buildings bridges sidewalks railway tracks piping systems ships and other structures.