Graham Baxter For many years in Australia, pipeline designers and civil contractors have sought an alternative to the restrictive, costly and time consuming practices of flanging, welding or thrust blocking buried pipeline systems to provide restraint at changes of direction, tees, dead ends etc. There was a need for a system that provided the security of these traditional methods, without their restrictions, and with the flexibility of a rubber ring joint. Since 1992 that need has been satisfied in Australia with the introduction of TYTON-LOK? rubber ring, restrained joints for Ductile Iron Pipeline Systems. All major utilities have now approved them for use and more and more designers and contractors are exploiting the advantages of this system, providing solutions to unique and challenging problems, and providing installers with a quick, hassle-free method of construction. This paper reviews the principles of the system, its features and benefits and examines several case studies where TYTON-LOK rubber ring joints have provided complete restraint without restriction. BACK TO