Abstract
Metallic bellows convolutions are often treated as general axi-symmetric shells of revolution. However, their geometric properties, methods of manufacture and application render them uniquely different in behaviour to other shells of revolution. This is particularly so in metallic bellows made up of multi-ply convolutions. This thesis examines the geometric properties of multi-ply bellows which have hitherto been generally unexplored, and then develops a theory based on idealised geometric properties using expected load application methods. Digital computer programs SAMBA1 and SAMBA2 are developed using the quadrature formula of Simpson's rule which solved the differential equations which resulted from the energy methods of solution. An experimental verification of the theory is presented and design forms given which contain design equations derived from computational parametric analysis of the effects of the governing geometric parameters on the elastic stresses due to the various modes of loading on the convolution. Some outstanding problems in bellows application are examined and methods of solution suggested for each problem discussed.