Why do gas pipelines run straight for a few hundred metres/yards then do a bit of a U-bend, straight run for a bit, then another U-bend etc. Why the bend? No valves or anything where the bend is.
In: 7658
Expansion and contraction of the pipe due to temperature changes.
A 100m piece of pipe will expand or contract about 5cm with a 40C temperature change. Depending where you are, the coldest winter temp to the hottest summer can easily see that.
The bends allow enough flex in the lines to let them move freely and not buckle.
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/linear-thermal-expansion-d_1379.html – calculator for expansion at different temps.
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