ABSTRACT
The characteristics of a corrugated diaphragm will remain linear as long as the wavelength of the corrugations does not change with load. With further increase in deflection, the wavelength will increase, the characteristics of the diaphragm being subjected to tension in addition to bending. While corrugated diaphragms are used mostly as pressure collectors, they can also be used as flexural supports where concentrated forces may be applied at the center through linkage pins, seismic masses, and Springs. The effective area of a corrugated diaphragm with a rigid center may be calculated by obtaining the ratio of the force spring constant to the corresponding pressure spring constant. The theoretical derivation of the equations for the deflection of a corrugated diaphragm is based on the angular rotations of the successive corrugations without the need for the change in their shape to be considered.
