TSINGHUA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISSN 1007-0214 21/22

pp305~309
Volume 1, Number 3, September 1996

Approximate Calculation of U-shaped Bellows

Shen Zupei ( ^ )
Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084
Abstract:

U-shaped bellows are widely used for sealed connections that require some flexibility. Since the struc-

ture of U-shaped bellows is complex, numerical methods are often used to calculate mechanical parameters such as
stiffness, displacement, etc. In this paper approximate formulas are derived for calculating the stiffness and the
stresses of a U-shaped bellows with a slender ring shell. These formulas can be used for designing bellows and selecting corrugation parameters. Comparison between the results of the approximate caculation and a finite element
calculation showed that the approximate formulas are applicable for < 0 . 5.
Key words:

bellows; approximate calculation? stiffness; toroidal shell

Introduction
A U-shaped bellows is a thin, elastic rotational
shell, consisting of semitoroidal shells and annular
plates. Fig. 1 shows one corrugation of a U-shaped
bellows which may have many corrugations. Since
the bellows are symmetric, only a half corrugation
AD is analysed . In part AD, AB is an external
toroidal shell, CD is an internal toroidal shell and
is an annular plate.
z

vj

pt

A
Fig. 1 U-shaped bellows profile

In the bellows analysis, a 3 is the radius of the

circular cross section, r 3 is the radius of revolution
for the external toroidal shell, ax and rx are the radii
for the internal toroidal shell, = 3 rx is the width
of the annular plate, r0 = (ri+r3)

is the average ra-

dius, and h is the shell thickness. The characteristic

where, hx =
, v is Possion's ratio.
/12(1 - v 2 )
Analysis of the deformations and the stresses of
a U-shaped bellows uses the theory of toroidal
shells. References [l~~5] studied various approaches
for solving the toroidal shell equations and for
analysing bellows deformations. These methods used
for calculating the stiffness are complex and the results have no obvious relation to the bellows parameters. Clark [6] discussed approximate formulas for a
U-shaped bellows with a rough ring shell. This paper discussed approximate formulas for a U-shaped
bellows with a slender ring shell. The approximate
analytic solution for toroidal shell under axial load
has been derived for / / < 0 . Approximate formulas for
calculating the stresses and the stiffness of a Ushaped bellows were then derived using the approximate solution.

1 Approximate Solution of the

Toroidal Shell Equation.
The complex variable equation for the toroidal
shell shown in Fig. 2 under axial load has been derived1-23. In the theory of thin shells, for a/r0<^l, the
toroidal shell equation can be reduced to

parameters of the internal and the external toroidal

shells are
Manuscript received: 1995-10-04

where,

d2X
I
-j-^- + i sin?> X = Q0r0 V r0 cosp

(1)

Tsinghua Science and Technology, September 1996, 1 (3): 305^309

306

+ Q,0 ' 0

' 0

cos?
sin?

(2)

XF = Q0r0 V r 0 c o s ?
(4)
For
C 0 = A, + i and Cx = A2 + i B2,
then the general solution of Eq. (1) takes the following form
X =(AX +B0
-i//(?-sin?)] +
(A2 + 2)[_ (2 2cos? ? s i n ? ) ]
Qor0 V r 0 c o s ?

(5)

T h e stress r e s u l t a n t s in the toroidal shell may be

expressed in t e r m s of the general s o l u t i o n , Neglecting the 2 t e r m s gives
SmCP

Q9=-

- [ + (

sin?) + 2 ? +

Fig. 2 Toroidal shell coordinates

the elastic m o d u l u s . If total axial force is F, then Q0

=

F/2nr0.

. Q^is the shear force,

(2 -

and are the stress r e s u l t a n t s in the ? and directions , and are the bending m o m e n t s in the ?

the counter-clockwise direction.

The

homogeneous

form of Eq. ( 1 ) can be solved using a power series sol u t i o n , as in Shen et al L3] .

S u b s t i t u t i n g into Eq. ( 1 ) and using the power series

sive relations for the coefficients as follows

\_AX + {

sin?) + A 2 ? +

r0 V r0
Q0sin?

=Hcos<p+
==\_{\
a V r0
A1

M,

<2 V

(9)
(10)

2cos? ? s i n ? ) ]

2(2

- cos?) +A2

?cos?)]

(11)

[ - A ^ Q - cos?) + 2
0

A 2 /^(sin? ? c o s ? ) ] + a Q 0 s i n ?

(12)
(13)

n-l-m

r = - [ 1 - cos?) + A2
Eha
+ > 2 /*(sin? ? c o s ? ) ]

C7Z = I tf/?cos?d? +

w h e r e , C 0 and C\ are undetermined complex cons t a n t s . Neglecting the 2 t e r m s , the solution becomes
X =

J 0

a
I -(

w h e r e , and H are the vertical and horizontal s t r e s s

r e s u l t a n t s . E is the elastic modulus of the material.
and B2 can be determined u s -

r e s u l t a n t s and the displacements of the toroidal shell

can then be calculated.

Simplifying gives homogeneous solution of Eq. ( 1 )

sin?)] +
(3)

A d o p t i n g the change of coefficents gives one n o n - h o mogeneous particular solution of Eq. ( 1 )

X F = i Q0r0 V r0 [ c o s ? + (+

(15)

vNg)smcpa<p

ing the toroidal shell boundary conditions. T h e stress

. n - 3
. n - 2
sin -
sin -
[Co
(n - 2 ) ! +' C
^ 1 } (n - 3 ) ! -

C\{.4> i /"(2 2cos? ? s i n ? ) ]

(14)

J 0 -C,Ai

T h e c o n s t a n t s Ax ,B},A2

(-

(7)

^ ,

Cn = \
77 Y\ Cm
n(n 1) f-4
. n 2 m
sin

n > 2
(n 2 m)\

X = C0[l -

77^-cos?

(8)
1

H =-

expression of the trigonometric function give recur1

2 c o s ? - ?sin?)] + ^

2(8

Let

+22

V^Q0

and d r i e c t i o n s , Ur and Uz are the displacements in

t h e r and Z d i r e c t i o n s , is the angular rotation in

(6)

EhL

t a n t s and the displacements of the toroidal shell are

the same as in Zhao et al

-cos?
2 0

sin?)

\_ (

T h e sign and the direction of the stress resulC2]

2cos? ? s i n ? ) ] +

2(2

Q0 is the axial force per unit length at r. E is

sin2?)]

Neglecting the 2 t e r m s gives the particular solution

2 Stresses in a U-shaped Bellows

under Axial Load
Assume

that

the

internal

and

the

external

toroidal shells of the U - s h a p e d bellows shown in

Fig. 1 satisfy the conditions < 0 and 3<^1,

that b is

of the same order as , a2 and a3 and that b<^r0,

r2^r0.

r ^

In part AD of the U-shaped b e l l o w s , Fig. 3 ,

Shen Zupei (ut *&*!): Approximate Calculation of U-shaped Bellows

307

p a r t AB is t h e external toroidal shell and t h e solution

c o n s t a n t s are defined as A 3 , B3,

(21)

A,

A 4 and B4. P a r t

is t h e annular plate. P a r t CD is t h e internal toroidal

with ^

B,

/?,=-

shell which is opposite to t h e internal toroidal shell

<p ^ 0 , so t h a t Q<p, 9 should take

constants are defined as , , A2 and B2. T h e angu-

~axEhAt
F o r part AB , at = 0

lar rotations and t h e shear forces vanish at both edges

M,

negative sign in t h e above formulas and t h e solution

of t h e U - s h a p e d bellows due to s y m m e t r y . A t point

D(<p =

-),
1-1---

2(2

- ) ] = 0

--

Ehhx V r 0
2

f - 2(2 -- - ) ]
2

= -)

H3 = = _J_ ,+,^
V 0

= 0

-i)+^f+
(18)
-1) +4

Ehhi ,
4(2

-f)] = o

=i4 s

(25)
3 + EhhY-
1
"

(26)

~ Eh3
r2

Wo

M - M,
)
6
-HO

(28)
(29)

Neglecting t h e t e r m s of {( = 1 4) in E q s . ( 1 7 )
and ( 1 9 ) gives t h e approximate equations

B\ ~^B2
(30)

~2 ~
(19)

(24)

(27)
a3Eh
F o r t h e annular p l a t e , the general solution 1 - 53 of the
equations for an annular p l a t e , under t h e condition of
b<^r0, can be approximated as

<(2 - | ) ] =

(17)

B4

Mt

(16)

(22)
(23)

_3_

A=-

r0

point (

A,

2=-

H0

, Qo
Ehh 2

Ehh,

(31)

B3---BA

T h e n , using E q s . ( 2 0 ) , ( 2 2 ) , ( 2 4 ) , ( 2 6 ) and ( 2 8 )
gives t h e solutions :
= (, 3 +

ir-
3

a\)Q0

(3 + ^b ^ l 23 \ - ai)Qo ( 3 3 )
2 + 3

,=-

}3
1

(32)

-a\)Q0

(34)

>=

(3
j b - ^ - - a \ ) Q 0 (35)
2 1 + 3
A, ^ 1 " 3
T h e c o n s t a n t s , ( = 1 4) can be obtained
from t h e other equations. are of t h e order of {(
Fig. 3 Stress resultants and displacements

1 ~" 4) , so t h e neglected t e r m s in E q s . ( 1 7 ) and

(19) areCK// 2 ) .

T h e value of H,

Mr,Ur

and for t h e toroidal

T h e t e r m s of (

= 1 4) can also be neglect-

shell and t h e value of t h e m for the a n n u a r plate

ed w h e n calculating t h e angular rotation and the

should be equal at the joint and the joint , t h e r e -

bending m o m e n t .

S u b s t i t u t i n g B{(i

1 4) into

f o r e , t h e y are defined with t h e same s y m b o l s . F o r

E q s . ( 7 ) and ( 1 2 ) gives t h e angular rotation distribu-

p a r t CD , at f = 0

tion along t h e U - s h a p e d bellows.

- M , =

Ai

zB,

(20)

For t h e internal toroidal s h e l l ,

= - _ <

+ ,(,, + -2 *

TiQoCOs?
Ehh\

al)Q0

(36)

For t h e external toroidal shell ,

2

=vzEhh2v

,
2

aVQ
< 3 ^ o0 +
T

<p)(axa3
~

a\Qo 2 (
M ? L 7^r U s

a3
+
ax + a .
for t h e external toroidal s h e l l ,
Wzl

alQo
Ehh\

<2i + 3

Q0cos^

(37)

1 (r

(38)

(39)

(2

) + b

*
+
-+- 3

*.] 2 <41)

3) + b

n6Q0

(42)

All o t h e r stresses are smaller and are of t h e order

1

<? '

aQo

2(uzX

+uz2

(45)

(46)

+ uz3)

(2 8 )

3 .

+ a3) +

3 I ~ ~ L I

(? + a D + ,

13^2

+ ,

] (47)

Bending stiffness formula

W h e n a U - s h a p e d bellows is loaded with a b e n d -

ing m o m e n t M0 , Fig. 4 , t h e bellows will have a n a n nular rotation a . T h e bending stiffness is defined a s
M0/a

. T h e bending moment may be generated b y a n

equivalent vertical force acting on t h e bellows. T h e

vertical force per unit length has a cosine distribution

M0 =

082

TZAV,

al displacement is 0 . A s s u m i n g t h a t 0 is approxi-

ac
~
r0h MQO

'0t Q<p

ship between V0 and M0 is

mately equal t o t h e axial displacement of t h e U -

a
<*

shaped bellows under t h e uniform axial force

= V0 ) , t h e n E q s . ( 4 3 ) , ( 4 4 ) and (45) can be used t o

U-shaped Bellows Stiffness Formulas

Axial stiffness formula

tion of the bellows # i s equal t o S0/r0

0^0

So/ ~

' On
b a

stiffness is defined as F/uz . T h e axial displacement

bellows can be calculated
3

-(aUnd-^j-^

~^T-2QO

EhAro

En

from

E q . ( 1 5 ) . Because a IfTlQo* ^^
-

~ ^13

( - ) W )

r0

Q<

AV0^

, the terms

of 0(2) can be neglected w h e n integrating Eq. ( 1 5 ) .

T h e axial displacements of t h e U - s h a p e d bellows a r e
obtained a s follows

for t h e internal toroidal s h e l l ,

, then t h e bend-

ing stiffness formula is

A s s u m i n g t h a t t h e axial displacement of a U -

of t h e U - s h a p e d

Q0(Q0

calculate t h e displacement 0 . Since the angular rota-

shaped bellows is uz under the axial force F , the axial

r0

1 .24

12

T h e vertical force is m a x i m u m at = 0 w h e r e the axi-

<*

ah

3 1

vertical force per unit length at = 0 . T h e relation-

= [_{

on t h e bellows e d g e , V = F 0 c o s # where V0 is t h e

^=

d=

ax + a3

"7

with one corrugation is

3. 2

al)Qo + a3Q0s'm<p
(40)
T h e m a x i m u m bending stresses are at edges A and D

ax -\- a3 2

Cd = ^ = 2rcr0Ehh2x/laxa3(ax

(^
+ b

2 + 3
a?)Qo + ajQosin^
for t h e external toroidal s h e l l ,
9

#i + <23

T h e axial stiffness formula is then

(43)

T h e total axial displacement of a U - s h a p e d bellows

i + 22
) ]Q<
8
2
2
T h e bending m o m e n t distribution is t h e n :
for t h e internal toroidal s h e l l ,

M=

T-3

(44)

Ehh\

+b

[ (ax a3) + b

Wo/

1
[_axa3 + b
Ehh\
2 (2i + a3

fli)

for t h e annular p l a t e ,

For the annular plate,

September 1996, 1 ( 3 ) : 305 309

Tsinghua Science and Technology,

308

Fig. 4

Bending loads

(48)

309

Shen Zupei (v *&*!) : Approximate Calculation of U-shaped Bellows

4
=nrlEhh\/\_alaz(al

+
5

+ 3 ) + + 4<236
6

(#! -f- 3 ;

(49)

Examples

The stiffness and the stresses in a U-shaped bellows were calculated using the approximate formulas
derived above. The results were compared to calculations made using the finite element method [7] for the
geometries given in Table 1. The bellows material
has E = 196 GPa and v = 0. 3 .
The axial stiffness, the bending stiffness and the
maximum bending stress aM at the symmetric point D
of the internal toroidal shell were calculated for a Ushaped bellows with one corrugation, Fig. 1, under
an axial force F = 100 N , Table 2.
Table 2

WMN-m"
C0/kN-m
<WMPa

Table 1

Geometric parameters for bellows examples

example 1

example 2

example 3

ro/mm

100

100

100

<2i/mm

1.0

1.6

2.5

/mm

1.0

2.0

3.0

b/mm

1.0

2.0

3.0

h /mm

0.25

0.4

0.5

0.132

0.211

0.413

0.132

0.330

0.595

The results show that the approximate formulas

are accurate for <C 0. 3 and that the deviation is less
than 15% for 0. 5 . The approximate formulas
are therefor applicable for / / < 0 . 5.

Comparison of calculated results

example 1

example 2

example 3

approximate formula

19.85

12.80

7.11

finite element

19.87

12.88

7.38

approximate formula

99.2

64.0

35.6

finite element

100.6

67.8

42.1

approximate formula

22.9

17.7

17.0

finite element

23.6

17.6

16.5

Conclusions

1981,

The approximate formulas for a U-shaped bellows with a thin shell derived in this paper are very
simple and can be used for calculating the stiffness
for <C 0. 5 . The formulas provide explicit relationship between the geometrical parameters and the
stiffness. These formulas are very convenient for designing bellows and for determining the bellows corrugation parameters.

21(2):

i j ^ ^ J g ,

1-14
1981,21(3):

93-110

Shen Zupei, Wu Zhenhui, Zhao Hongbin. Stresses and

displacements in rotating toroidal shells. Journal of T s inghua University, 1981, 2 1 ( 3 ) : 93110
^ft,

1982, 3 : 4 9 - 8 5

Chen Shanlin. Symmetrical stress and deflection of S-type

corrugated tubes. Journal of Chengdu University of Science and Technology, 1982, 3 : 4985

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S f c . ^^,
^ ,

1979, 1 9 ( 1 ) :

84-99

Qian Weichang. Calculations for semi circular arc type

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99

2 &, n?, *. ^$
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Zupei,

Zhao

1989, 2 9 ( 6 ) :
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58-66

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