Number of expansion joints needed for a specific length of pipeline

Good day to you Andrew, 

With the information provided above, no one will be able to answer this questions without a lot more details. Suggest that you build your model in AutoPIPE and send necessary values of displacement per load case to an Flexible Joint manufacturer. The will make some suggests for your to consider, model these Flexible Joints in AutoPIPE with the proper settings, and run an analysis to see if the flexible joints settings and locations minimize the stress in the system to your satisfaction. 

Regards,

Mike Dattilio
Bentley Systems Design Analyst
Design Engineering Analysis group
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Hello Andrew,

I agree with Mike, that information you provided are very poor for engineering decision, so flexible joints selection and modelling is much more complex than it might seem to be. However, in the straight pipe on the rack, you may calculate total thermal expansion between ending bends and then compare this value with allowable longitudinal deflection of available expansion joints. This is a simplification of the process, because you may also use lateral expansion joints in branches AFTER of BEFORE bends. This is also a very effective method, sometimes inevitable. Axial expansion joints have some STRICT REQUIREMENTS that you need to follow in case of a pipeline.

Please, remember that 'real-life' expansion joint' in AutoPIPE need to be usually assembled from several elements - a lot of information you may find in Help.