The tied universal expansion joint is designed to absorb large amounts of lateral deflection while absorbing the pressure thrust. The joint is made up of two single bellows elements connected by a piece of pipe called as 'center spool'. The 'tie rods' are then attached on the outer ends and span both the bellows and the 'center spool'. This type of construction allows the bellows to absorb the thermal growth of the piping between the 'tie rod' attachments while eliminating the pressure thrust on the system. The pressure thrust on the system is absorbed completely by the 'tie rods'.
