Abstract: Bell and plain or beveled end pipe sections are joined together in sealing engagement by placing a gasket between the sections and in radial compression. Pipe whose cross sections may deviate from a true circle and whose diameters may range over a wide tolerance are joined together utilizing an economical gasket, without requiring extremely high assembly forces. A specific portion of the gasket is compressed by a novel compression rib which allows assembly of the system without excessive end force and yet maintains radial compression of the gasket over a wide range of tolerances.