Fatigue Prediction for Diaphragm Bellows using Structural Simulation

Fatigue of the diaphragm bellows was predicted through finite element analysis (FEA). Bellows, which are produced by welding the outer and inner diameter of the diaphragm, are critical components in various engineering applications. They are known for their ability to absorb thermal expansion, vibration, and pressure variations. Therefore, accurate prediction of their fatigue life is essential for ensuring the reliability of these systems. The displacement applied to the bellows was simulated using ANSYS, a widely used commercial software in structural analysis. The results obtained were meticulously compared with those derived from conventional fatigue tests on bellows to validate the numerical analysis program. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of key parameters, such as bellows type, pitch, and span, on von Mises stress and fatigue. The investigation revealed that variations in pitch, span, and bellows type had minimal, if any, significant impact on von Mises stress and fatigue.