FIGURE 1: This figure shows the simplest and most basic application of an axial expansion joint. The sequence of installation steps to pay attention to follows:
1. Only one expansion joint may be installed between two main anchors.
2. Main anchors are located in the direction of pipeline.
3. An expansion joint is located next to each main anchor.
4. The fi rst pipe alignment guide is located within the distance of 4 pipe diameters next to the axial expansion joint.
5. The second pipe alignment guide is located within the distance of 14 pipe diameters next to the fi rst pipe alignment guide.
6. The distances between the other pipe alignment guides to be located are determined according to the Pipe Guide Spacing Chart by EJMA (Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association)

FIGURE 2: This installation being proper to divide the pipe system into three sections is applicable when we add a “T”-part to it. The section branched at this “T”-point is isolated from the effects of the thermal expansion present in the main pipe line. A main anchor has to be installed at the branching point as shown at the fi gure. The reason of applying a main anchor at this point is to absorb the pressure thrust of the branch line. The other pipe alignment guides should be installed as shown in the figure.

FIGURE 3: The pipeline is divided into smaller sections as shown in the figure. The reason for that resides in the fact that the thermal expansion exceeds the capacity of the axial expansion joint between main anchors. In this case the best solution is achieved by locating an intermediate anchor between the two axial expansion joints. Pressure thrust at this juncture is compensated, because the effective areas of each of the expansion joints are equal. The other pipe alignment guides should be installed as shown in the figure.

FIGURE 4: If the pipeline contains a reducer, then two separate axial expansion joints of different pipe diameters have to be used. In this case the pressure thrusts on both sides of the reducer are no longer equal. To withstand them the anchor separating the axial expansion joints of different pipe diameters must be a main anchor. The other pipe alignment guides should be installed as shown in the figure.
