Large diameter pipe joint with means for distributing tensile forces

A watertight joint between a male end of one pipe and a mouth end of a second pipe, where there is a possibility of the two pipes not being perfectly aligned with one another, comprising:

• sealing means between said male end and said mouth end, respective opposite support means on said male end and said mouth end, bracing means arranged between said opposite support means for distributing tensile forces over the complete periphery of the joint and comprising an incompressible mass of an initially fluid filler material comprising solid spherical particles and at least one annular bearing element, and wherein the support means of the mouth end is defined by an inside flange (5) of the mouth end and a radial wall thereof and that of the male end is defined by a split guard ring (22) encircling said male end and bearing against a radial shoulder (21) of said male end and against said annular bearing element, and means containing said incompressible mass within said joint in an annular space defined between a pair of axial bearing surfaces including said radial wall of said mouth end and said annular bearing element, said annular space allowing redistribution of said incompressible mass upon misalignment of said pipes, a further annular space being defined between said annular bearing element and an interior radial flange (9) of said mouth.