Modelling bellows expansion joints by standard beam finite elements

摘要

A procedure for modelling bellows expansion joints by the standard beam finite elements of I-DEAS Master Series 6 is presented. It is shown that the bellows dynamic behaviour can be modelled by beam elements by manipulating certain element parameters. The method will work in any software in which these parameters can be set by the user. COmpared to a shell elements model the model size is reduced by at least a factor of 100. This is especially advantageous when the bellows is only a part of a system to be optimised with respect to overall design parameters.