Effect of design parameters on the static mechanical behaviour of metal bellows using design of experiment and finite element analysis

The present work elucidates a systematic analysis to understand the influence of design parameters on the static mechanical behavior of metal bellows. This investigation was carried out by applying design of experiment (DOE) techniques. The required responses for DOE were obtained from a set of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for various configurations of bellows. The FEA results of metal bellows were validated using Expansion Joints Manufacturing Association standard. A mathematical relationship between the design parameters and the static mechanical behavior was derived. It was found that the wall thickness of metal bellows has great influence on the static mechanical behavior of the component. Further the design parameters for the required output were optimized using desirability approach and validation test were carried out using FEA.