Location: Transport for NSW Construction Project – New South Wales
Product: Natural 60 HG Rubber Strips with Bonding Layer (10 mm x 225 mm x 1300 mm)
Project Overview
An engineering fabrication company was contracted to design and manufacture custom steel stillage frames for transporting precast concrete tunnel segments as part of a Transport for NSW infrastructure project in New South Wales.
The concrete panels were curved in profile, so the stillages were fabricated to match the exact profile. The frames needed to safely support and stack several heavy tunnel panels during transport and handling.
The Challenge
Because the tunnel segments were large and heavy, the bearing surfaces of the steel stillages were subjected to high compressive loads and repeated forklift movements.
To protect the concrete panels and maintain stability during transport, a high-friction, load-bearing rubber interface was required. The material needed to:
- Absorb load variation and vibration during handling
- Prevent slippage between the steel frame and curved concrete surfaces
- Maintain consistent, large contact area for uniform load distribution
- Withstand repeated heavy loading over an extended service life
Solution: Natural 60 HG Rubber Strips were installed as a bearing pad
Reglin supplied Natural 60 HG Rubber strips with a bonding layer, custom-cut to fit the steel frame contact areas. Each strip measured 10 mm thick × 225 mm wide × 1300 mm long.
This premium natural rubber compound was selected for its:
- High tensile strength and resilience under heavy loads
- Excellent elasticity to absorb impact and surface irregularities
- High friction coefficient to prevent movement of concrete panels
- Strong adhesion capability when bonded to grit-blasted steel surfaces
Before full production, Reglin supplied sample pads for a prototype stillage. The engineering company completed testing and achieved Transport for NSW design approval, after which the product was specified in the final build.
Reglin also supplied the compatible primer and adhesive system, enabling the fabricator to achieve a high strength bond between the rubber pads and the prepared steelwork. This ensured that the pads would not delaminate or shift under heavy use.
Results
The installed Natural 60 HG Rubber bearing pads provided a durable and reliable interface between the concrete tunnel segments and the steel stillage frames.
The solution delivered:
- Strong and lasting bond between rubber and steel
- High load-bearing capacity suitable for stacked precast segments
- Slip-resistant surface for safe handling during transport
- Long service life under repeated heavy forklift loading
Conclusion
This project highlights Reglin Rubber’s capability to support fabricators with custom-cut rubber components and complete adhesive systems for transport and construction applications.
The use of Natural 60 HG Rubber provided an ideal balance of strength, resilience, and adhesion, ensuring safe, stable transport of curved concrete tunnel segments and extending the service life of the custom stillage frames.