Gimbal Expansion and Seismic Joints

Gimbal expansion joints are placed at the movement joints of a piping system to absorb the independent movement of separately founded masses and the movement in the x, y and z directions that any ground movement — seismic included — brings to the system, so that it keeps working safely. They are built to the movement that has to be absorbed.

A gimbal joint consists of twin bellows, an intermediate pipe, flanges and gimbal rings. It is designed to the stated movements, and the bellows and gimbals at both ends give it the ability to take up every direction of movement.

Gimbal expansion joints are used at every movement joint in a building crossing, on all buried and above ground lines and in every piping system carrying any fluid. The bellows are made in stainless steel and the connecting parts in carbon steel or stainless steel.