Segmented steel tape joint system for connecting tubular steel piles
View Patent ↗A mechanical joint assembly for connecting tubular steel piles includes a box joint welded to a first tubular steel pile and a pin joint welded to a second tubular steel pile. The pin joint inserts into a receiving cavity of the box joint, forming an annular groove between an inner annular recess of the box joint and an outer annular recess of the pin joint. A segmented steel tape having slits across its width enables conforming to the annular groove circumference. The slits enable the tape to bend from flat configuration to circular installation through an access opening in the box joint. The mechanical connection eliminates field welding requirements while providing load transfer capacity exceeding the tensile capacity of the connected tubular steel piles. The distributed contact design reduces stress concentrations, enabling standard materials rather than specialized high-strength components, and use of standard installation tools for cost-effective connections.
1 . A mechanical joint system for connecting tubular steel piles, wherein each of the tubular steel piles comprises an outer wall surrounding an inner hollow opening, the mechanical joint system comprising:
a box joint comprising an outer coupling member configured to be welded to a first tubular steel pile, wherein the box joint comprises an inner cylindrical surface defining a receiving cavity;
a pin joint comprising an inner coupling member configured to be welded to a second tubular steel pile, wherein the pin joint comprises an outer cylindrical surface configured for insertion into the receiving cavity of the box joint, wherein when the pin joint is inserted into the receiving cavity of the box joint an annular groove is formed between the inner annular recess of the box joint and the outer annular recess of the pin joint;
a segmented steel tape comprising a width, a thickness, and a plurality of slits across the width, wherein the segmented steel tape is configured to be inserted into the annular groove to conform to a circumference of the joint, wherein the plurality of slits enable the segmented steel tape to bend and follow the circumference of the annular groove to transfer tensile loading between the box joint and the pin joint; and
at least one access opening in the pin joint configured to enable insertion of the segmented steel tape into the annular groove.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the segmented steel tape is inserted into the annular groove by hammering the tape to facilitate bending and conforming to the circumference of the joint.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one access opening further comprises an end cap configured to be secured over the access opening to prevent the segmented steel tape from backing out of the annular groove.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the end cap is bolted into the access opening to further reinforce the joint.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits are configured to a predetermined depth based on a radius of the joint, a width of each slit, and ductility of the segmented steel tape material.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the segmented steel tape comprises two tape segments configured to be inserted in opposite directions through the at least one access opening to complete a full circumference of the annular groove.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the box joint and the pin joint are configured to maintain an outside diameter of the connected tubular steel piles.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the box joint and the pin joint are configured to maintain an inside diameter of the connected tubular steel piles to eliminate flow restrictions.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising O-rings positioned at non-contacting interfaces between the box joint and the pin joint to produce a watertight joint.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the segmented steel tape is greased to facilitate insertion into the annular groove without compromising integrity of the joint.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the segmented steel tape has a cross-sectional area configured to provide shear capacity and contact area sufficient to transfer tensile loading that exceeds a tensile capacity of the tubular steel piles being connected.
12 . A segmented steel tape for use in a mechanical joint connecting tubular steel piles, the segmented steel tape comprising:
a steel member comprising a width, a thickness, and a length, wherein the steel member is configured to be inserted into an annular groove formed between coupling elements of the mechanical joint;
a plurality of slits comprising cuts across the width of the steel member, wherein each of the plurality of slits extends from a first edge of the steel member toward a second edge of the steel member, wherein the plurality of slits are spaced along the length of the steel member;
wherein the plurality of slits enable the steel member to bend in a horizontal plane and conform to a circumference of the annular groove when inserted therein, wherein the steel member is configured to transfer tensile loading between the coupling elements when positioned within the annular groove; and
wherein the plurality of slits comprise a predetermined depth based on a radius of curvature required for the steel member to conform to the circumference of the annular groove.
13 . The segmented steel tape of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of slits comprises a drilled hole at an end of the slit to reduce crack propagation.
14 . The segmented steel tape of claim 12 , wherein the steel member comprises a cross-sectional area sized to provide shear capacity and contact area sufficient to transfer tensile loading greater than a tensile capacity of the tubular steel piles.
15 . The segmented steel tape of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of slits are spaced at regular intervals along the length of the steel member.
16 . The segmented steel tape of claim 12 , wherein the steel member is configured to be greased to facilitate insertion into the annular groove.
17 . The segmented steel tape of claim 12 , wherein the predetermined depth of the plurality of slits is based on ductility of the steel member material and a width of each slit.
18 . A method for connecting tubular steel piles via a mechanical joint, the method comprising:
providing a box joint welded to a first tubular steel pile and a pin joint welded to a second tubular steel pile;
inserting the pin joint into a receiving cavity of the box joint to form an annular groove between the box joint and the pin joint;
inserting a segmented steel tape through an access opening in the pin joint into the annular groove, wherein the segmented steel tape comprises a plurality of slits that enable the tape to conform to a circumference of the annular groove; and
securing the segmented steel tape within the annular groove to transfer tensile loading between the box joint and the pin joint.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein inserting the segmented steel tape comprises hammering the segmented steel tape into the annular groove to facilitate bending and conforming to the circumference.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising securing an end cap over the access opening to prevent the segmented steel tape from backing out of the annular groove and to reinforce the mechanical joint.