Instruments and Methods High Pressure Coupling for Pipe in Deep Water Filled Bore Holes

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Shreve, R. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1963
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Blue Glacier; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000028380; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000028380

Abstract In August 1961 an aluminum pipe (3.5 cm. internal diameter, 4.2 cm. external diameter) having 92 specially modified socket couplings (5.0 cm. external diameter) sealed with a quick-polymerizing synthetic rubber was sunk 226 m. in a vertical water-filled bore hole in Blue Glacier, Washington. U.S.A. The geometry of threads and mating surfaces of pipe and coupling was designed to cause increasing external water pressure to tighten the seal. One joint at a depth of 66 m. immediately developed an extremely slow leak (probably because of faulty cleaning), but the other 91 joints apparently were sound, as the pipe was free of water to a depth of at least 157 m. when resurveyed after one year.