Eiffel Trading 101: Used Steel Pipe Applications

From a structural standpoint, steel pipe is unrivaled when compared to other materials. The mechanical and physical properties make it an extremely versatile construction material. When compared to wide flange beams or h-pile, steel pipe can withstand much higher loads for long unsupported members. There are several applications for used steel pipe in the construction industry - here are a few:

Structural Bracing

Steel pipe is an excellent resistor of buckling, thanks to the symmetry. In the construction industry you will see used steel pipe as structural bracing in temporary structures such as: cofferdams, deep excavations, crane access trestle, shoring, tunneling, among many others.

Bearing Piles

Steel pipe piles are one of the most tested structural elements in the construction industry. "A Driven Pile is a Tested Pile" - thanks to our friends at the Pile Driving Contractors Association for the use of their slogan. The most common ways we see used steel pipe as bearing pile is in temporary structures such as: crane access trestle foundation pile, dolphins, shoring, temporary navigation piling, temporary docks, among many others.

Casing and Jacked and Bored Pipe

Steel pipe is frequently required when constructing drilled shafts. The casing pipe is used to hold back the soil from around the opening of the drilled shaft. In jacked an bored pipe, the used steel pipe is jacked under roads, railroads, homes, etc. After the pipe is jacked, the pipe is cleaned to allow for the utilities to be installed. The most common ways we see used steel pipe as casing and jacked and bored pipe is in structures such as: drilled shafts, waterlines, telecommunications, pipelines, among many others.

Combination Sheet Pile Walls

Steel Pipe is frequently used in combination sheet pile walls, thanks to the high bending strength characteristics of the pipe. The steel pipe acts as the king pile between the sheet pile pairs, which takes the majority of the load off the sheet pile. The most common ways we see used steel pipe in combination sheet pile walls is in structures such as: temporary terminals, breakwaters, cofferdams, deep excavations, shoring, among many others.

Used steel pipe has many uses, I have only represented a handful of the potential uses. If you are in the market for used or surplus steel pipe you can view our pipe inventory anytime. Please feel free to call or email us for additional information - 1-800-541-7998 or sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew Norman is one of the co-founders of Eiffel Trading. His background is in Heavy-Civil and Marine Construction in Project Management and Procurement. While working in Project Management and Procurement he purchased millions of pounds of steel pipe for both permanent and temporary structures.