Hi Steven
Limit Rod & Tie rod you mention above is entirely two different items serve different purpose
1) Limit Rod --use in untied expansion bellow just to protect bellow from overstretching it, It is not meant to take care of pressure thrust, Bellow still work as untied bellow. Seperate restraint need to use in piping system in case thrust force is huge

2) Tie Rod-- Use in Tied expansion bellow to take care of pressure thrust,No seperate special restraint required in piping system because of pressure thrust. Generally nut is tighten in both way to restrict both compression & tension of expansion bellow.So pressure thrust & thermal load balancing concept will not be much useful in this case. Tied bellow is not to allow any axial tension or compresson.


Some time people try to go with concept to restrict bellow in tension for pressure thrust but allowing thermal compression by removing inner nut of tie rod. This a very dengerous option need very careful thought & expertise to do go for that option.

Tie rod design ---Leave it to venor ( Number of rods & diameter)


Regards

Habib