Hinged expansion joint

A hinged expansion joint is a metallic assembly, that can rotate in a single plane, used to absorb changes resulting from piping thermal expansion or contraction.

[1] They include hinges, attached to the expansion joint ends with a pair of pins, which allow angular movement in a single plane, restrain the pressure thrust, and prevent the expansion joint from deflecting axially, either in extension or compression.

[3] The expansion joint hinges provide for angular movement and will resist pressure thrust forces.

As a pair, hinged expansion joints will function together to absorb lateral deflection.

Advantages of hinged expansion joints are that they are typically compact in size and structurally rigid.