Steel pipe piles and pipe pile structures

Abstract

A pipe pile, for use in a foundation or a retaining wall, comprises a substantially cylindrical, and preferably steel, pipe body extending longitudinally between two opposite ends, the pipe body being formed of a plurality of pipe sections, interlocked or welded together end-to-end and arranged on a common central longitudinal axis between the two ends. All of the pipe sections have substantially the same outside diameter; however, two or more pipe sections have differing inside diameters, and thus a differing wall thickness, between the two ends of the pipe pile.

1 . A pipe pile adapted to be driven into the earth for use as a structural element in a foundation or in a wall, said pipe pile comprising a substantially cylindrical pipe body extending longitudinally between two opposite ends, said pipe body being formed of a plurality of pipe sections, interlocked or welded together end to end, arranged along a common central longitudinal axis between said two ends, wherein all of said pipe sections have substantially the same outside diameter and at least two of said pipe sections have a differing inside diameter, and thereby a differing material thickness, between said two ends. 
     
     
         2 . The pipe pile according to  claim 1 , wherein said pipe pile is made of a steel which corrodes when exposed to water and air. 
     
     
         3 . A support structure formed of a plurality of pipe piles according to  claim 1 , said pipe piles being driven into the earth, side by side, with their longitudinal axes arranged substantially in parallel. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles varies approximately in accordance with the expected rate of corrosion, with a pipe pile having a greater material thickness in one or more of its pipe sections than in others. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure according to  claim 3 , disposed in a body of water, said pipe piles extending downward through the water into the earth below. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure according to  claim 5 , further comprising a platform supported by the pipe piles. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the body of water is an ocean and the water is sea water. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a splash zone of the support structure than in a permanent immersion zone thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a low water zone of the support structure than in a permanent immersion zone thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in an intertidal zone of the support structure than in a permanent immersion zone thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The support structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a permanent immersion zone of the support structure than in a zone of the support structure below the water. 
     
     
         12 . A retaining wall formed of a plurality of pipe piles according to  claim 1 , said pipe pile sections being driven into the earth with their longitudinal axes arranged substantially in parallel and along a common, substantially horizontal, line. 
     
     
         13 . The retaining wall according to  claim 12 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles varies approximately in accordance with the expected rate of corrosion, with a pipe pile having a greater material thickness in one or more of its pipe sections than in others. 
     
     
         14 . The retaining wall according to  claim 12 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles varies approximately in accordance with the expected applied lateral stress, with at least one pipe pile having a greater material thickness in one or more of its pipe sections than in others. 
     
     
         15 . The retaining wall according to  claim 12 , disposed along a coast of a body of water, with earth retained on one side of the wall against air and water on an opposite side. 
     
     
         16 . The retaining wall according to  claim 15 , wherein the body of water is an ocean and the water is sea water. 
     
     
         17 . The retaining wall according to  claim 16 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a splash zone of the wall than in a permanent immersion zone of the wall. 
     
     
         18 . The retaining wall according to  claim 16 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a low water zone of the wall than in a permanent immersion zone of the wall. 
     
     
         19 . The retaining wall according to  claim 16 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in an intertidal zone of the wall than in a permanent immersion zone of the wall. 
     
     
         20 . The retaining wall according to  claim 16 , wherein the material thickness of the pipe piles is greater in a permanent immersion zone of the wall than in a zone of the wall below the water. 
     
     
         21 . The retaining wall according to  claim 12 , further comprising pipe pile connecting elements, welded to opposite sides of a plurality of said pipe piles. 
     
     
         22 . The retaining wall according to  claim 21 , wherein said connecting elements are interlocked between adjacent pipe piles. 
     
     
         23 . The retaining wall according to  claim 21 , further comprising at least one sheet pile disposed between two adjacent pipe piles, said sheet pile being interlocked with connecting elements welded to said adjacent pipe piles. 
     
     
         24 . The retaining wall according to  claim 23 , wherein said sheet pile is has a U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         25 . The retaining wall according to  claim 23 , wherein said sheet pile is has a Z-shaped cross-section.