Rubber Expansion Joint Failure

Typical causes of pipe expansion joint failure.

Rubber expansion joint failure.

Unlike metal expansion joints the majority of failures related to rubber expansion joints are not catastrophic in nature. 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. They are commonly found between sections of buildings bridges sidewalks railway tracks piping systems ships and other structures. What are the failures of expansion joints.

Rubber bellows can crack if they are over pressurized or placed in a harsh environment. Failures of course have occurred which are of concern both to users and to reputable pipe expansion joint manufacturers. 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. Improper handling during transport storage or assembly.

Common signs of rubber expansion joint fatigue. Main causes of failure for expansion joints. Added on wed jun 29 2011. Expansion joints failure is caused by corrosion erosion cyclic fatigue or thermal creep at elevated temperatures.

It will also discuss failure analysis of rubber expansion joints and some of the leading causes of joint failure. 1 prior to start up. 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.