Method of splicing a pair of foundation piles

Abstract

A method of coaxially splicing a pair of tubular foundation piles in an end-to-end relationship includes the step of constructing a tubular splice from a resilient material, the tubular splice having the same outer diameter as the pair of foundation piles and being shaped to define a longitudinal slit which extends the entirety of its length. A strap is cinched tightly around the splice which renders its outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the pair of foundation piles. Each end of the compressed splice is then inserted into an adhesive coated end of a corresponding foundation pile. With the pair of foundation piles telescopingly mounted over the compressed splice, the cinched strap is removed which causes the splice to resiliently expand radially outward and thinly spread the adhesive. The foundation piles are then preferably drawn together and the adhesive is allowed to cure.

1 . A method of splicing first and second tubular foundation piles, the first and second foundation piles having equal inner and outer diameters, each of the first and second foundation piles including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a tubular splice that is constructed of a resilient material, the tubular splice including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the outer diameter of the tubular splice being approximately equal to the outer diameter of each of the first and second foundation piles, the tubular splice being shaped to define a longitudinal slit which extends the entirety of the length of the splice;   (b) applying a radially inward compressive force to the splice which renders the outer diameter of the splice less than the inner diameter of each of the first and second foundation piles;   (c) coating an adhesive to the inner surface of the first foundation pile at its first end and to the inner surface of the second foundation pile at its first end;   (d) inserting the first end of the compressed splice into the first end of the first foundation pile;   (e) displacing the second foundation pile such that the second end of the compressed splice inserts into the first end of the second foundation pile; and   (f) withdrawing the radially inward compressive force from the splice.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, upon release of the compressive force in the withdrawal step, the tubular splice resiliently expands radially outward. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the tubular splice expands radially outward and into contact against the adhesive provided on the inner surface of the first and second foundation piles. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the tubular splice spreads the adhesive uniformly as a thin layer between the splice and the first and second foundation piles. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of, after the withdrawal step, allowing the adhesive to cure. 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising the step of, after the withdrawal step but prior to the adhesive curing step, further drawing the first ends of the first and second foundation piles closer together to reduce any gap present therebetween. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the slit has a uniform width along the entirety of the length of the splice. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the width of the slit is directly proportional to the inner diameter of each of the first and second foundation piles. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, in the splice providing step, the length of the splice is directly proportional to the outer diameter of each of the first and second foundation piles. 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the splice compression step is accomplished by cinching a strap around the outer surface of the splice. 
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, in the adhesive coating step, the distance in from the first ends of first and second foundation piles that the adhesive is applied is approximately one-half the overall length of the splice. 
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, in the splice insertion step, the first end of the compressed splice is advanced into the first foundation pile until the strap is disposed in close proximity to the first end of the first foundation pile.