The UK steel piling and foundations industry is poised to encounter some substantial innovation this year. Over the last three years, John Lawrie Tubulars has been investing in some significant research and development with the aim of tackling some of the key challenges our piling customers are facing. The result of this development and field testing is our newly patented EndformedTM Connection Technology.
What is the EndformedTM Connection Technology?
John Lawrie Tubulars uses proprietary manufacturing processes to produce a joining system for plain end pipe. The EndformedTM Steel Tubulars are formed on one end to create the joining system, no additional couplers or spider joints are required. Our EndformedTM connections allow the steel piles to be quickly joined on site as needed. The driving energy causes the inner pipe to continue “secondary forming” deeper into the EndformedTM extension pipe with the coupler locking in the load capacity applied by the driving energy.
EndformedTM is Patented Technology
We are pleased to say that John Lawrie Tubulars has patented the EndformedTM Steel Tubular product in the UK, US, and Canada. Trials have started in the UK market with positive feedback. The EndformedTM connection is perfect for use in restricted access sites and sites where there is a requirement for shorter piles (e.g. 3mtr, 4mtr and 6mtr lengths) to be installed.
John Lawrie Tubulars Craig Jessop recently visited a client’s site in Glasgow where EndformedTM piles were being installed, he confirmed “it was great being on site and seeing first-hand how easily the piles aligned and connected. The install took a fraction of the normal installation time.”
Whilst he was there, Craig also caught up with our client, “Greg was very impressed, he informed us that it has revolutionised their short pile installation process. Affirming that it’s has proven to be more cost effective, and more advanced than the traditional spider joints – adding that although the driving energy causes the inner pipe to continue ‘secondary forming’ the joint can still be manipulated easily by lifting and realigning the pipe.”
The new technology also comes with significant benefits for our customers who are facing increasing pressures in cost containment, time on site, HSEQ and sustainability demands.
EndformedTM Steel Tubular benefits include:
Complete confidence in The EndformedTM technology
The ongoing effects of global events have highlighted vulnerabilities in supply chains. We are one of the largest suppliers in the UK with over 25,000 tonnes of tubulars onsite at any given time – our large inventory and the ability to manufacture this new EndformedTM technology at speed ensures our customers can build a more resilient supply chain, something which is crucial for maintaining production and meeting customer demands.
You can have complete confidence: The EndformedTM technology has been created through a four-stage development process (design, laboratory testing, structural engineering analysis and field testing) John Lawrie Tubulars testing included performing compression, tension, and bending testing on six pipe sizes and three grades per pipe size using a 2267.96 tonne press. Structural engineering, solid modelling and Finite Element Analysis were performed on the six EndFormedTM extension sizes to correlate theoretical models with the empirical results from testing. Industry piling and testing contractors were engaged to field test the EndFormedTM extension solution in soil. High-strain dynamic testing (PDA) and static load testing were also performed to confirm load capacities. A complete third-party report is available, and further information can be provided upon request.
This is a pivotal moment, in the industry and collaboration across the industry is essential. Working with John Lawrie Tubulars, you can help drive the steel manufacturing industry toward a more sustainable and prosperous future by embracing new technology and advancing the use of repurposed steel into sectors that could be taking advantage of the benefits as described above.
