Illustration of a double-ball joint
GEOFLEX®’s movement
possibilities
GEOFLEX® fittings
Main characteristics:
- EPDM elastomeric gaskets
- External and internal coating : Blue Epoxy Powder 250µm (PECB)
- Bolts & nuts: stainless steel grade 304
- Performances comply with ISO 16134 standard
- Type test (in part, where relevant) compliant with EN 545 standard
Field of use:
- Mainly water supply pipelines
- Anti-seismic protection of pipelines
- Protection of pipelines against landslides, subsidence of loose or unstable ground
- Stress caused by earthquakes, seismic earth movements, tsunamis, tidal waves, etc.
- PN16 bar
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GEOFLEX® is a range of ductile iron flexible fittings, capable of sliding, extending, compressing, rotating. GEOFLEX® fittings are designed to protect water pipe works against stresses caused by occasional but major geological events (
see video
):- Landslides, subsidence of loose or unstable ground
- Stress caused by earthquakes, seismic earth movements, tsunamis, tidal waves, etc.
Illustration of a double-ball joint GEOFLEX®’s movement possibilities | |
A GEOFLEX® fitting comprises:
- a central part (sleeve), allowing an axial slide (compression & expansion), see B on above sketch
- at each extremity, 1 flanged ball-joint, allowing a maximum angular deflection (see A)
(*) the deflection value (h) mentioned depends on the central part m (sleeve), installed between the two ball-joint flanges. For a same DN, different deflection values are obtained thanks to the installation, during production, of a longer or shorter sleeve, whereas the ball-joint flanges remain identical.
DN1100 up to DN1800 imply a specific price and lead time enquiry, as these fittings require pattern creation and testing, these operations being not necessary for smaller DN.
Informative type-installation sketch
GEOFLEX® fittings (see G on sketch) can be installed on Natural (see T on sketch), Classic or Integral pipes ranges via the use of spigot-flanged fittings and flanged socket fittings (see B on sketch).
The design of the fitting’s central part (sleeve), sliding inside the ball-joint flanges at each extremity, allows contraction and expansion movements.
The overall sliding capacity (expansion/contraction) varies from 100 mm (+/- 50mm) up to 600 mm (+ 350mm/-250mm). A table recaps all these values DN per DN.
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Project design, choice criteria
GEOFLEX®: a wide choice, ranging from DN100 up to DN1800, PN16. The selection of a GEOFLEX® fitting for a given DN, depends on the expected subsidence magnitude, which it may have to withstand.
This subsidence is evaluated & assessed depending of geotechnics or seismic stresses, and on the nature of grounds met during the project design.
The selection of the right GEOFLEX® fitting is the responsibility of the consultant, once considered the geotechnics parameters of the project.
Several possible deflection values (h) , ranging from 100 mm up to 600 mm and various deviation angles from +/- 30° up to +/- 38°, address DN by DN the foreseeable stress levels.
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Between the 2 flanged extremities, the sliding central part (sleeve) of a GEOFLEX® fitting allows axial compression & expansion, varying from 100 mm (+/- 50mm) up to 600 mm (+ 350mm/-250mm), depending on the DN. A table recaps all values related to each DN.
Main GEOFLEX® fittings performances
GEOFLEX®double ball-joints fittings
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| DN | Deflection h | Deflection θ | Extension / Contraction lo | Resistance to dismounting |
| mm | mm | degree | mm | kN |
| 100 | 100 → 600 | +/- 38° | 100 (+/- 50) ** | 300 |
| 150 | 100 → 600 | +/- 36° | 160 (+/- 80) | 450 |
| 200 | 100 → 600 | +/- 34° | 160 (+/- 80) | 600 |
| 250 | 100 → 600 | +/- 32° | 160 (+/- 80) | 750 |
| 300 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 200 (+/- 100) | 900 |
| 350 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 200 (+/- 100) | 1050 |
| 400 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 240 (+/- 100) | 1200 |
| 450 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 240 (+/- 100) | 1350 |
| 500 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 300 (+/- 150) | 1500 |
| 600 | 100 → 600 | +/- 30° | 300 (+/- 150) | 1800 |
| 700 | 200 → 600 | +/- 30° | 400 (+/- 200) | 2100 |
| 800 | 200 → 600 | +/- 30° | 400 (+/- 200) | 2400 |
| 900 | 200 → 600 | +/- 30° | 440 (+/- 220) | 2700 |
| 1000 | 200 → 600 | +/- 30° | 440 (+/- 220) | 3000 |
| 1110 | 400 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 3000 |
| 1200 | 400 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 3600 |
| 1400 | 400 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 4200 |
| 1500 | 400 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 4500 |
| 1600 | 400 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 4800 |
| 1800 | 500 | +/- 20° | 600 (+350/-250) | 5400 |
(*) The overall sliding (contraction/expansion) range depends on the length of the central part (sleeve) of the GEOFLEX® fitting. The lo value mentioned is the sum of both contraction and expansion movements, expressed as +/-.
(**) DN100- Expansion / Contraction: +80 mm/ -20 mm in case of a 600 mm deflection (h).
(***) The maximum resistance to dismounting must be equal or superior to 3Xn (in mm) n expressed in kN. This resistance value is based on ISO 16134 standard: ‘’Earthquake and subsidence-resistant design of ductile iron pipelines‘’.
Example: for a DN150 GEOFLEX fitting, the maximum guaranteed value of resistance to dismounting is calculated as follows: R dismounting = 3 x 1500 = 4500 kN
Packaging
GEOFLEX® fittings are individually packed on pallets, which are then shrink-wrapped (transparent plastic film).
The 2 extremities of GEOFLEX® fittings are fitted with PE protective caps. GEOFLEX® fittings feature 4 threaded retaining rods (see installation sheet), aiming:
- To prevent any axial unexpected sliding movement during transport & handling
- To keep the overall distance (between flanges) identical to the factory-settings, until the fitting assembly and the overall pipeline installation is hydraulically tested & approved
Each fitting is fitted with 2 PE sleeve and 2 securing wires, which will be installed on each pipeline extremity, prior to the installation of the GEOFLEX® fitting. See installation sheet.
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