Project Overview
As part of an agricultural infrastructure upgrade in regional Victoria, a local civil construction contractor was engaged to build a new gravity-fed irrigation channel system. The system included multiple concrete stops to control the flow of water across farmland, enabling efficient water delivery to various paddocks during irrigation.
These stops were manufactured from precast concrete and fitted with flexible rubber flaps that completely sealed the stop when closed and allowed water to pass in one direction when opened. These flaps needed to be durable, flexible, UV-resistant, and able to withstand constant submersion in open-channel water environments.
The Challenge
The contractor required a reliable rubber solution that could:
- Maintain flexibility during continuous opening and closing cycles.
- Perform while exposed to full sun, water submersion, and all weather conditions.
- Provide long-term resistance to degradation, tearing, and mechanical fatigue.
- Be custom fitted into the metal frame and concrete interface of the irrigation stop design.
The performance of these rubber flaps was critical to the success of the water channel system as they regulate water flow direction and help prevent water loss due to backflow.
Solution: EPDM 65 Insertion rubber was supplied for cutting custom size irrigation stop flaps
To meet these application demands, Reglin supplied EPDM 65 Nylon Insertion Rubber Sheet, which was cut to size by the contractor and installed as flexible flap seals across all irrigation stops, bolted into steel frames of precast concrete stops.
Why EPDM 65 Insertion Rubber Was the Right Choice
EPDM rubber was chosen over natural rubber or SBR alternatives due to its superior performance in outdoor and water channel environments. Key properties that made it ideal for this project included:
- Excellent UV and ozone resistance – critical for prolonged sun exposure in open rural locations.
- Outstanding resistance to weathering – ensuring durability through rain, heat, frost, and wind.
- Suitable for long-term submersion – EPDM maintains integrity when continually exposed to water.
- Good flex fatigue performance – important for flaps that are constantly opening and closing.
- Insertion reinforced – nylon ply reinforcement provides dimensional stability and improved tear strength when fastened under load.
Installation and Operation
Each rubber flap was bolted at the top edge to a steel frame integrated into the precast concrete stop. The flaps were then controlled by a manual chain system which allowed the operator to adjust the level of water flow.
The rubber flaps formed a tight seal with the base of the precast stop, helping minimise leakage and control flow volumes.
The contractor confirmed the flaps performed immediately as intended, with no issues during installation or commission of the system. The EPDM maintained flexibility and formed a consistent seal against the concrete base.
Outcome
The completed irrigation system is now operational, reliably distributing water across the farm using the newly constructed gravity-fed channels and stops. The EPDM rubber flaps are playing a key role in the performance and water efficiency of the system.
The successful integration of Reglin’s EPDM 65 Insertion Rubber into these custom-fabricated irrigation stops has provided the contractor with a robust and long-lasting sealing solution suited for agricultural water management applications.