Piling pipe can most conveniently be extended with a splicer. This is designed with a taper for a drive fit without welding so no advance preparation is required or a slip on splice requiring welding. If water is a problem, roofing mastic swabbed around the joint probably will be adequate.
For piles where the joint is not embedded well into firm soil or where uplift is expected the splice can be supplied without a taper. It can be slipped on a pile section while horizontal and a weld made in convenient position as the pipe is rolled. This joint has substantial lateral resistance and tension value. Driving can be done on the splicer; the next section is set into it and a quick downhand weld made to complete the joint. Do not bevel pipe to be used with the splicer. It bears on a square ledge.
The circular shape of pipe makes it practical to use a tapered compression splicer without welding. These types of pipe splices do not require welding. The design incorporates a “ledge” at the center makes a “drive stopper” at the interface. Newly developed foundry techniques permit casting this splicer to a water resistant connection. This no-weld splicer has been proved by thousands of connections made from a specially rolled bar with the center ledge. During the manufacturing process an accurate length is cut, rolled to a circle, flash welded, then stretched to the required size.
When attaching the no weld pipe splicer, the splice is set on a driven length and leveled by tapping with a sledge. The pile driver then picks up the next length of piling and sets it on top of now present splice. Driving continues with very little delay. These types of splices have a tapered sleeve with a stop at the center which is placed on the driven section. It is squared up with the axis of the pipe while an added section of pile is picked up. As the pile is driven the pipe ends are swaged into the tapered splicer, making a tight friction joint that resists lateral bending of the pile. For most conditions no welding is required.
Splices for piling pipe may be full-penetration butt welds. Where attachment is made after a length of pile is driven, only the lower end of the upper section should be beveled so hammer contact is on the full area of the steel. A back-up ring, with protruding knock-off pins is available to space and back up the welds.
Full penetration butt welds or fillet welds shown are commonly used for splicing pipe piles. Pipe piles can also be spliced with patented splicers similar to the one shown. This splicer is fabricated from ASTM A 36 steel and is designed with a taper for a drive fit without welding so no advance preparation is required. Unless the splicer is fillet welded to the pile, the splice will not provide full strength in bending.
