section 10 flex lok ball joint pipe 5-1-13

7/29/2019 Section 10 Flex Lok Ball Joint Pipe 5-1-13

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Section 10

AMERICAN

Ball Joint Pipe


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AMERICAN Flex-Lok Boltless BallJoint Pipe manuactured in 4-60*sizes is a rugged, boltless, exible jointpipe designed and manuactured to assurethe greatest economy in installation withmaximum perormance and reliability.This ductile iron pipe meets all applicablerequirements o AWWA C151 and isdesigned to withstand severe installationand service conditions encountered in rivercrossings, treated wastewater outall lines,

water supply intakes, swamps, oodlandsand rugged terrain where signifcant jointdeection may be required.

AMERICAN Flex-Lok Boltless Ball JointPipe provides variable deection up to atleast 15, and the joint may be deectedto metal binding position at maximumdeection without harm to the pipe orjoint components. This is a result o theunique design and unctionality o the pipeand joint components. In sizes 4-12 theconfguration incorporates the additionalexible restraint provided by AMERICANsFlex-Ring joint, which cumulatively resultsin greater joint deection capabilities, up to

25.

Spherical SocketThe spherical socket o the AMERICAN

Flex-Lok Joint is cast o ductile iron and isaccurately machined to accommodate theball o the adjoining pipe. The thick walland bell section provides superior strengthto minimize the stresses resulting rominstallation and service conditions.

The Flex-Lok Joint gasket recess inthe socket is designed and manuactured toprovide easy insertion and positive seating

o the gasket to avoid displacement duringassembly and or constant compressiono the gasket through the entire range odeection o the assembled joint.Spherical Ball

The ball end o the AMERICANFlex-Lok Joint is accurately machined toft into the adjoining pipe socket and toprovide constant compression o the gasketthrough the entire range o deection othe assembled joint.

The inside surace o the ball is shapedso that the waterway will not be signifcantlyobstructed at any angle o joint deection.

10-2

30-60 Flex-Lok Joint System

4-12 Flex-Lok Joint System 14-24 Flex-Lok Joint System

*Check AMERICAN for 64 requirements.**The spherical ball and socket ends of 54 and 60 FlexLok pipes are fastened to the barrels of the pipe with a

Fastite gasket and locking ring arrangement instead of threads.

AMERICAN Ductile IronFlex-Lok Ball Joint Pipe


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Flex-Lok GasketThe AMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint uses

the basic dual hardness gasket designo the AMERICAN Fastite Joint that hasbeen proven with millions o joints overapproximately 55 years. Designed toprovide maximum sealability, the Flex-Lokgasket is manuactured to AMERICANsrigid specifcation to assure controlleddimensional and material properties.

The snug ft o the gasket in the socketcavity, the design o the socket buttressand the hard section o the gasket act torestrain the gasket rom dislodging duringassembly.

LOCKING SYSTEM

Two types o locking systems are usedto prevent longitudinal joint separation othe AMERICAN Flex-Lok joint, dependingon pipe size. In the 4-24 sizes, thelocking system employs a substantialexternal locking ductile iron gland andsizes 4-12 also use the proven positivejoint restraint system o the Flex-Ring joint.Both the spherical socket component andspherical ball component o the Flex-Lokjoint in this size range have a Flex-Ring jointthat is pre-assembled at AMERICAN. For30- 60 sizes, the joint is restrained with aductile iron retainer ring ftted into a matinggroove inside the heavy-section bell.

4-24 Flex-Lok Pipe JointThe locking gland o the 4-24

AMERICAN Flex-Lok joint is cast o ductileiron. The gland has internal lugs thatinterlock with external lugs on the bell.

The lugs on the gland are passed betweenand beyond the lugs on the bell peripheryand the gland is then rotated to lock thejoint and prevent separation.

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Cross-sectional view showing theAMERICAN Flex-Lok Joints in thedefected position. Note that thewaterway remains unobstructedwhen the joint is ully defected.

30-60Flex-Lok Joint

4-24Flex-Lok Joint

An exploded view showing the component parts o the 4-24 AMERICAN Flex-LokBoltless Ball Joint: 1Ductile Iron Socket. 2Rubber gasket. 3Ductile Iron Ball.4Locking gland. 5Locking wedge.


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10-4

54

3

2 1

An exploded view showing the component parts o the 30-60 AMERICAN Flex-LokBoltless Ball Joint: 1Ductile Iron Socket. 2Rubber gasket. 3Ductile Iron Ball.4Retaining Ring. 5Assembly clip.

All 4-24 AMERICAN Flex-Lok Ball

Joint Pipe is prepared or shipment to the

job site with the locking gland strapped to

the ball. These straps must be removed to

ree the gland or assembly. The 4-12

confguration has a preassembled Flex-Ring

joint both directly adjacent to the spherical

socket and spherical ball. The locking gland

is also shipped strapped to the ball.

A steel wedge with a welded-on threaded

stud, as shown above, is provided or each

4-24 AMERICAN Flex-Lok joint. One

wedge is placed into the space between

two lugs and bolted into position. This

wedge provides a positive lock to prevent

gland rotation ater assembly.

30-60 Flex-Lok Pipe Joint

A split retainer ring manuactured oductile iron is ftted into a mating groove

inside the heavy bell section provid-

ing restraint against longitudinal joint

separation in the 30-60 sizes. This ring

is shipped strapped to the ball. These

straps must be removed to ree the ring or

assembly. Ater the ring is ftted into the

groove inside the bell, a locking clip, held in

place by a stainless steel spring, is inserted

into the space between the ends o the ring

to securely lock it into the groove.

JOINT LUBRICANT

Special AMERICAN Joint Lubricant or

underwater installation is urnished with

each order to provide ample lubrication

or assembly and joint exing. This special

lubricant is dierent rom regular Fastite

lubricant and is insoluble, non-toxic, will

impart no taste or odor to the conveyed

liquid and will not have a deleterious eect

on the rubber gasket.

AMERICAN Flex-Lok Ball Joint Pipe is

centriugally cast in laying lengths shown

in Table Nos. 10-1 and 10-2 with the same

standard outside diameters as AMERICAN

Fastite or Mechanical Joint Pipe, thus sim-

pliying tie-in connections by allowing the

use o standard fttings.

AMERICAN Flex-Lok Ball Joint Pipe

may be urnished with any o the coatings

and linings described in Section 11. Unless

otherwise specifed, the pipe is normallyurnished with an asphaltic coating on the

exterior and with the interior cement lined

per AWWA C104.


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10-6

AMERICAN Ductile Iron Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe

For Water, Sewage and Other Liquids30-60Standard Classes and Thicknesses

Table No. 10-2

Sizein.*

LayingLengthft./in.**

WorkingPressure

psi***

TWall

Thicknessin.

Per PipeLength

Per LengthIncl. JointMaterials

Per FootIncl. JointMaterials

Full of Airlb.

Full of Waterlb.

Weight in Pounds Underwater Weight PerLength Incl. Joint Materials

30 217 250 0.63 5735 5759 266.8 2017 4944

36 221 250 0.73 8455 8499 384.9 2914 729642 226 250 0.83 12225 12287 546.1 3506 10548

48 226 250 0.93 16050 16138 717.2 4486 13855

54 230 250 1.05 24000 24150 1050 3125 20950

60 233 250 0.87 26650 26875 1156.0 5920 23410

FlexLok joint pipe, in sizes 3060, may be supplied with either threadedon or mechanically restrained connections for attaching the ball and socket to the pipe barrel.

*Contact AMERICAN on requirements for 64 and larger FlexLok.**Laying length is subject to trim pipe allowance in accordance with AWWA C151. Also, this is based on the fully

extended or pulledtometallocking position of 3060 FlexLok joints. In installations where 3060 joints are not pull-extended in the assembly procedure, the tabulated laying lengths will be reduced by approximately 2 per joint in 3048

sizes and 21/2 in 54 and 60 sizes, which is the result of the nonremoval of the joint assembly clearance space in thejoints. Contact AMERICAN when lengths are critical, or when it is necessary to locate ball joints at specic stations, etc.The joints will seal properly in any axial position from fully homed to fully extended and with any joint deection angles up tomaximum rating when the joint is extended.

***The working pressure is AMERICANs suggested standard water working pressure. Contact AMERICAN if higherworking pressure is involved.

Thicknesses correspond to Special Class 56 for 3054 sizes and Pressure Class 350 for the 60 size. ContactAMERICAN if pipe with other wall thickness is required.

Does not include lining weight. Underwater pipe weights are for fresh water. Sea water is approximately 3%heavier than fresh water, and these weights should be adjusted accordingly for sea water installation.

When full of air, pipe of this thickness will oat unless weight is added. See Table No. 111 for cement liningweights. Gross weight, including pipe, ring and lining, is painted on each length of FlexLok pipe to aid in eld calculationsof actual buoyancy.

The following table shows suggested water pressure ratings with thickness designations and weights in accordancewith applicable requirements of ANSI/AWWA C150/A21.50 and ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51. It is intended that the ultimatedetermination of suitable thicknesses should be made by the design engineer with consideration of both installation methods and ultimate service conditions of the line.


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10-7

AMERICAN Ductile Iron

Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe4-12Technical Data

Table No. 10-3A

Sizein.

Ain.

Nin. Gland Gasket Locking

WedgeComplete

Set

LubricantPoundsPer Joint

MaximumJointDeection

Maximum

SafeEnd Pullin Tons

Joint MaterialsWeight in Pounds

14 14.80 11.79 27 1 1 29 .09 25 21

16 16.90 13.91 37 1 1 39 .12 25 35

18 19.05 16.38 50 1 2 53 .16 25 49

10 11.10 18.84 67 1 3 71 .27 25 63

12 13.20 21.56 89 1 3 93 .40 25 76

*Refer to Table No. 101A for thickness T dimensions.Contact AMERICAN for greater end pull requirements.

AMERICAN Ductile IronFlex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe

14-24Technical Data

Table No. 10-3B

Sizein.

Ain.

Nin. Gland Gasket Locking

WedgeComplete

Set

LubricantPoundsPer Joint

MaximumJoint

Deection

MaximumSafe

End Pullin Tons

Joint MaterialsWeight in Pounds

14 15.30 24.43 115 2 3 120 .50 15 90

16 17.40 26.78 147 3 4 154 .60 15 10018 19.50 29.70 181 3 4 188 .75 15 110

20 21.60 32.59 221 4 4 229 .90 15 119

24 25.80 37.29 297 5 4 306 1.10 15 130

*Refer to Table No. 101B for thickness T dimensions.Contact AMERICAN for greater end pull requirements.

*

*


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Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe30-60Technical Data

Table No. 10-4

Sizein.

Ain.

Nin. Locking

Ring Gasket

Locking

Clip

Complete

Set

LubricantPounds

Per Joint

MaximumJoint

Deection**

MaximumSafe End

Pull in

Tons

Joint Materials Weight/lb.

30 32.00 40.57 17 6 1 24 1.60 15 225

36 38.30 48.43 35 8 1 44 2.20 15 255

42 44.50 56.71 53 8 1 62 2.70 15 305

48 50.80 63.67 77 10 1 88 3.50 15 350

54 57.56 73.37 121 22 2 145 4.70 15 450

60 61.61 80.13 198 27 3 228 10 15 500

FlexLok joint pipe, in sizes 3060, may be supplied with either threadedon or mechanically restrainedconnections for attaching the ball and socket.*Refer to Table No. 102 for thickness T dimensions.**The full 15 rated deection and laying length of 3060 joints is most readily obtained by fully extending the joints.Contact AMERICAN for greater end pull requirements.Contact AMERICAN on requirements for 64 or larger FlexLok.

54 AMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint pipe being assembled or an outall installation.

*


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10-11

Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint

Combinations with Other JointsLaying Length Overall Length

Flex-Lok Socket and Flange Pipe ............ .............. ............19-9 L.L. + AFlex-Lok Socket and Plain End Pipe ............. ............. ........19-9 L.L. + AFlex-Lok Ball and Flange Pipe ............. .............. ............. ...19-6 L.L. + BFlex-Lok Ball and Plain End Pipe .............. ............. ............20-0 L.L. + B

Maximum

Overall Length

t.-in.

Maximum

Laying Length

t.-in.***Type Joints

***These lengths are generally applicable for 1424 FlexLok pipes. In other pipe sizes, AMERICAN may have capabilities toproduce longer lengths. See Table 107 for similar 3060 conguration lengths, and contact AMERICAN for specic longer lengthsif desired.

Use formulas to obtain overall length corresponding to maximum laying length or to any other required laying length.

Other joint combinations are available with FlexLok pipe, including FlexLok Ball and Ball in certain sizes. ContactAMERICAN for further details on any desired combination.

Flex-Lok Ball JointCombinations with Other JointsLaying Length Overall Length

Table No. 10-7

Sizein.

Flex-Lok Socketand Flangeor Plain End

Pipe

Flex-Lok Balland Flangeor Plain End

Pipe

Flex-Lok Socketand Flangeor Plain End

Pipe

Flex-Lok Balland Flangeor Plain End

Pipe

30 2061/4 2071/2 20111/4 2111/236 2073/4 20111/2 212 21642 2010 212 215 2193/4

48 20103/4 212 2163/4 21101/254 2111/2 2141/2 2111 2221/260 2123/4 2161/4 2213/4 2251/4

Use formulas to obtain overall length corresponding to other required laying lengths.Overall length of FlexLok Socket and Flange/P.E. Pipe = L.L. + AOverall length of FlexLok Ball and Flange/P.E. Pipe = L.L. + BOther joint combinations are available with FlexLok pipe, including FlexLok Ball and Ball in certain sizes. Contact

AMERICAN for further details on any desired combination.

Maximum Laying Length(ft.-in.)

Maximum Overall Length(ft.-in.)


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10-12

12 27 210 590 505


Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe4-24 Flex-Lok Connecting Pieces

Table No. 10-8

Table No. 10-9

Sizein.

Sizein.

Flex-Lok BallAssembly Closure

Flex-Lok SocketAssembly Closure







14 210 210 135 120

30 37 35 12480 12633

36 40 38 13976 14147

42 48 44 16481 16479

48 49 46 18614 19026

54 70 **90 13378 13834

16 29 210 205 185

18 28 210 305 270

10 27 210 415 370

14 31 30 720 590

16 32 30 910 760

18 33 31 1130 935

20 34 32 1385 1135

24 35 33 1910 1530

*Laying lengths shown exclude the bolted on pulling ange.Pulling ange contains 2 taps (1 taps for 410 and 2 taps for 1254).FlexLok Closure Assemblies are available on loan basis for use in installing lines by pulling and for testing of lines after installation.They are normally furnished in pairs, i.e., one Ball and Closed End Assembly and one Socket and Closed End Assembly.Assembled weights include the bolted on pulling ange

*Laying Lengths shown exclude the bolted on pulling ange.**Contact AMERICAN for the availability of a shorter closure piece if desired.Pulling ange contains 2 taps (2 taps for 1254).FlexLok Closure Assemblies are available on loan basis for use in installing lines by pulling and for testing of lines after installation.They are normally furnished in pairs, i.e., one Ball and Closed End Assembly and one Socket and Closed End Assembly.Assembled weights include the boltedon pulling ange.60 FlexLok Closure Assemblies are constructed differently than 3054, but with the same functionality (a pulling plug with taps isinserted in the bell or bell end, instead of a short length of ange pipe as pictured). Contact AMERICAN.

30-54 Flex-Lok Closure Assemblies

Laying Lengths*

Laying Lengths*

Assembled Weight in Pounds

Assembled Weight in Pounds


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10-14

AMERICAN Ductile IronFlex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe (Internal Retaining Ring Type)

30-60Assembly Instructions

Field assembly o 30-60 AMERICANFlex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe is astand simple. The ollowing procedure isrecommended:

1. Remove the steel strap, U-bolt andeye-bolt holding the retaining ring andlet it hang reely on the shank o the ball.Thoroughly clean the outside o the balland the socket recesses inside the bell. Donot remove protective coating rom ball or

bell. Note that no solvents should be used incleaning the ball and gasket recess.

2. Insert the special Flex-Lok gasket intothe gasket recess with small section o gasketacing outward.

3. For underwater installation, coat entireball and the exposed surace o the gasketcompletely with the AMERICAN UnderwaterJoint Lubricant, which is urnished withthe pipe. This coating will provide amplelubrication or assembly and joint exing, andthis special lubricant is insoluble in water.

4. Position the pipes in near straightalignment to acilitate assembly. Position theleading edge o the ball into the socket. Pullpipe together using a device such as a rollerchain pull lit, which can be urnished byAMERICAN i desired.

5. Orient the loose retaining ring so thegap is at the top. Insert retaining ring intorecess inside bell. Check to ensure ring is inthe socket recess all the way around the joint.

6. Insert the assembly clip in the spacebetween the ring ends and push or caulk intoposition. Note that the spring end of the clipmust be oriented inward toward the ball asshown on page 10-4 and in Photo 6 above.

7. Disassembly can be easilyaccomplished with a reversal o theseinstructions. Any pulled or extended jointsmust, o course, be frst pulled or pushed

back together to allow removal o theassembly clip and the retaining ring. Also, asmall tapped hole is provided in the ace othe loose retaining ring approximately 180rom the assembly clip (normally at thebottom). A bolt can be threaded into this holei disassembly is needed. This is oten helpulin liting the retaining ring out o engagementin the socket.

I required, an additional quantity o lubricantcan be supplied or, in some cases, a lubricantcan be prepared in the feld by mixing onegallon o melted parafn and one-hal gallono linseed oil. Do not use other lubricantsas they may be injurious to the gasket orimpart taste or odor to the conveyed water.Approximately 2 o relative separatingmovement or joint take-up will occur ineach joint i the joint is extended or pulled(beore locking members metal-bind toprevent urther movement).

1 2 3 4

5 6


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10-15

Installation From Bank (Line Pulling)

In many instances it is possible to planinstallation methods or waterway crossings sothat work will be confned to frm ground withoshore operations minimized or eliminated.AMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint Pipe may beassembled on an inclined ramp, or onlaunching ways, and pulled to the oppositeshore by cable. The entire line may be movedas a unit or in sections. The line may be oatedor pulled directly into an excavated trenchdepending on existing conditions.

AMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint Pipe ispositively locked against separation and theallowable end pull permits the assembled pipeto be pulled as a line into otherwise inaccessible

areas such as rivers, swamps and quicksand.

The joints are designed so that the joint sealing

is not aected by the tension o pulling, andater the line is in fnal position, no urther jointwork is necessary. Many installations havebeen made by this method, and on severaloccasions two or more parallel lines have beenpulled simultaneously.

In the construction o a ramp, the mostreadily available materials can be used, suchas timbers, rails or steel beams. Pipe may beassembled so that the heavy anges are incontact with the ramp or the pipe may becradled on cross supports equipped withguide cleats. The design o the ramp and thematerials used dictate how the pipe should besupported. The deection o individual joints

provides line exibility, enabling movement

AMERICAN Ball Joint Pipe InstallationsMethods o Installation

Time and time again, AMERICAN Ball Joint Pipelines have been installed where the con-ditions o the job site have challenged the ingenuity o the design engineer and installationcontractor. The design eatures o Flex-Lok Pipe make it readily adaptable to extremely difcultsituations. It has been installed by a variety o methods both unique and conventional with an unexcelled record o success.

Many installations have been made using marine equipment, thus minimizing oreliminating all underwater work. Unnavigable and navigable waters have been crossed with all

jointing and installation work being perormed on the opposite banks, with appropriate designand construction planning.

The majority o installations involve one or more o the installation procedures describedas ollows:

Bank installation in progress, where most o the work is perormed on rm groundand the pipe is pulled across waterway by cable. (Note rail weights strapped on tocreate slight negative buoyancy o this size line pulled beneath barge trac).


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10-16

through moderate bends into variouselevations and locations. The grade and long

radius bend o the ramp are planned orgradual line deection and maximum controlo line movement.

In line pulling, analysis o bottomconditions should be made by thoroughsoundings to determine possible obstructionsand resistance to be encountered by the pipe,as well as support or the pipeline in contactwith the bottom.

Closure pieces with cable eyes and testtaps can be urnished with the pipe on a rentalbasis.

An advantage is sometimes obtained byastening an improvised deector or sled inront o the lead socket ange.

Line FlotationAMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint Pipe can be

installed by various methods including the useo line otation. Some sizes o unflled pipeare lighter than the water they displace andwill oat. See Table Nos. 10-1 and 10-2. Ithe unflled pipe is heavier than the water itdisplaces, then pontoons must be secured to

the line to provide the buoyancy i otation isdesired.

Unless bottom conditions or othercircumstances dictate that the line be oatedinto position, it is usually better to pull theline submerged along the bottom withslight negative buoyancy. When necessary,

pontoons may be used to lighten the weighto a long line pulled along the bottom.

Unless water depth is relatively shallow,approximately 10 eet or less, a line oated intoposition should be supported as it is loweredto the bottom. This precaution is necessary toavoid placing excessive deection and beamstresses on the joints.

Used commercial steel drums aregenerally available and oten can beeconomically used as pontoons duringinstallation. In designing otation gear,consideration should be given to the depthat which the drums used will collapse due toexternal pressure.

Flotation provided by attached spheres acilitated installation o this 30 pipeline with Flex-Lok Joints.

Flex-Lok Joint Pipe can be pulled into positionwith a bulldozer, winch or crane with dead man.


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10-18

InstallationThe outstanding construction advantagesaorded by AMERICAN Flex-Lok Pipe shouldbe ully considered and used or long, trouble-ree service.

For example, where river bottoms areo unstable soils, the exibility o Flex-LokPipe will allow substantial line movement orsettlement, and remain leak-ree. Movemento the installed line, however, should beminimized as ar as practical and confnedto the underwater section o the line. It issuggested that the river bottom be trenched

or dragged to stable soils where practical.Also, the ends o the lines extending abovethe water should be stabilized or connectionto other lines. It is generally suggested thatthe ends o the crossings be installed in frmearth, above the high-water mark, to providefrm anchorage. Where the connecting endso the crossings cannot be located in frm soils,other suitable means o anchoring should beprovided.

Ater a river crossing is installed, it isnormally suggested that the line be backflledand allowed to settle or a reasonable periodbeore end connections are made. This is dueto uncertain bedding conditions that may

be present in many installations. Submergedlines should be flled with water to aid theirsettlement.

The signifcant deection provided byAMERICAN Ball Joints practically eliminatesthe need or line fttings; however, wheresteep approaches or horizontal bends areencountered requiring greater than normalline deection, the use o short AMERICAN

Ball Joint connecting pieces will provideadditional deection within a short distance.

TestingUpon completion o a river crossing, the

ends o the line may be closed or testing bythe use o closure pieces, which are availableon loan rom AMERICAN.

ConnectionsWhen connecting Ball Joint river crossing

lines to land lines, the river crossing pipeshould normally be installed frst.

Sleeves are oten used or connecting BallJoint pipe to other pipelines. Such connectionsacilitate the joining o a feld-cut piece, allowmoderate movement o the river crossingends, reduce stresses and provide or easy linemaintenance.

Long pattern mechanical joint sleevesare recommended or making connection tomechanical joint or Fastite joint ductile ironpipe, both o which have the same outsidediameters as Ball Joint pipe. Connectionsto pipe o other diameters require specialconnecting pieces designed to ft specifcinstallation requirements.

The use o AMERICAN Flex-Lok Joint

Pipe with or without special restrainedexpansion sleeves may be advantageous inseismic environments.

AMERICAN will assist in any rivercrossing project by making a detailed layoutand by giving suggestions or installationprocedures to accomplish the crossing.

AMERICAN Ball Joint Pipe

Recommendations


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AMERICAN reserves the right to modiy or change designs, materials,specifcations, or dimensions shown herein without prior notice.

This is a preprint of a section from the 19th Edition of the AMERICAN Pipe Manual.References may be made in this section to other sections of this manual.

APM10REV03-13

AMERICAN DUCTILE IRON PIPE

section 10 flex lok ball joint pipe 5-1-13

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