( Reaffirmed 1999 )

IS :11855-1986

Indian Standard
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
RUBBER SEALS FOR HYDRAULIC GATES

Hydraulic Gates and Valves Sectional Committee, BDC 56

Chairman
SHRI ~.AD~NARAYANA SASTRI
8A/104 W.E.A., Karol Bagh
New Delhi

‘Members Representing
SHRI D. S. AHUJA Nangal Workshops, Irrigation Department,
Government of Punjab, Nangal Township
SHRI BALWANT SINGH ( Alternate )
SHRI G. S. ANNIGERI Tungbhadra Steel Products Ltd, P. 0.
Tungbhadra Dam
SHRI DHARMINDER CHARAN Irrigat~c;~o;partment ( Government of U. P. ),

CHIEF ENGINEER Irrigation Works ( Government of Punjab ),

Chandigarh
DIRECTOR ( M & E ) ( AIternate )
SHRI R. C. CHOPRA TEXMACO Ltd, CaIcutta
SHRI R. BHATTACHARYA ( Alternate )
SHRI H. C. DHINGRA Haryana State Minor Irrigation ( Tubewells )
Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh
SHRI R. S. CHAUHAN ( AIternate )
DIRECTOR Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune
SHRI A. ‘V. GOPALAKRISHNA( Alternate )
DIRECTOR ( GATES & DESIGNS I ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
SHRI C. L. VERMA ( Alternate )
SHRI K. K. JULKA Beas Project, Talwara BBMB, Chandigarh
SHRI V. P. KAUSHAL ( Alternate )
SHRI K. V. S. MURTHY Triveni Structurals Ltd, Naini
SHRI M. K. V. SARMA ( Alternate )
SHRI RAI KUMAR Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Hyderabad
SHRI N. Y. NARSIMHAN ( Alternate )
SHRI P. RAMAKRISHNAN Public Works Department ( Government of
Tamilnadu ), Madras
SHRI P. ARUNACHALAM ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. SADHU Jessop & Co Ltd. Calcutta
SHRI S. NAG ( Alternate )

( Continued on page 2 )

,@I Copyright 1987

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
Ei : llft55 - 1986

( Continued from page 1 )

Members Representing
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER CDO, Irrigation and Power Department ( Government
NASIK of Maharashtra ), Nasik
SHRI R. SWARUP Central India Mechinery Manufacturing CO
Ltd, Bharatpur ( Rajasthan )
SHRI K. C. BEHETY ( Alternate )
SHRI M. C. TEWARI Himachal Pradesh State . Electricity Board
gizrrnment of Himachal Pradesh ),

SHRI N. VISWANATHAN National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation,

New Delhi
SHRI G. S. SHARMA ( Alternate )
SHRI G. RAMAN, Director General, BIS ( Ex-officio Member )
Director ( Civ Engg )

Secrefary
SHRI HEMANT KUMAR
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), BIS

2
r -_- ~~____--..-. ~. 7

IS : 11855,- 1986

Indian Standard
GENERAL, REQUIREMENTS FOR
RUBBER SEALS FOR HYDRAULIC GATES

0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institu-
tioa on 30 October 1986, after the draft finalized by the Hydraulic Gates
and Valves Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engi-
rXeriag;L?ivision Council.
0.2 Dams/barrages are built for storage/diversion of water for irrigation
or generation of electric power. In concrete dams, tunnels/spillways,
head reguIator of hydel channels, forebay intake structure, by-pass
channels and draft tube of power house, the flow of water is controlled
with the help of hydraulic gates.
0.3.Toprevent flow of water past a closed gate, seals are provided either
on the gate or on the metal frame in the gate slot. Rubber is the most
commonly used material for seals, as it is elastic, deforms readily and
regains its original shape on removal of load. Reclaimed rubber shall
not be used for seals.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard lays down the types and requirements for rubber seals
used for all common types of hydraulic gates.

2. MATERIALS
2.1The rubber for seal shall be fabricated from a high-grade, trade-type
compound. The basic polymer shall be natural rubber, or a co-polymer
of butadene and styrene, or a blend of both. The compound shall contain
not less than 70 percent, by volume, of the basic polymer, and the
remainder shall consist of reinforcing carbon black, zinc oxide, accele-
rators, antioxidents, vulcanizing agents, and plasticizers. The compound
shall have the following physical properties:
a) Shore A durometer hardness 65 & 5
b) Minimum elongation 450 percent
c) Ultimate tensile strength 14’5 N/mm2

3
IS:11855-1986

d) The rubber compound shall not absorb more than 10 percent by

mass, of water, in seven days’ test.
e) The tensile strength of the test specimen, after being subjected
to an accelerated ageing test of 48 hours in oxygen at 70°C and
2’1 N/mm2 pressure, shall be not less than 80 percent of the
strength of the test specimen before agemg.

3. CONSTRUCTION
3.1 Rubber seals may either be moulded or extruded ensuring a homoge-
neous cross-section.
3.2 On the hollow bulb seals, a core of rubber stock may be used in
the bulb at the splice.
3.3 Corner seals shall be moulded whenever layout permits.
3.4 The metal clad seals shall be held firmly to the rubber through
anchors during moulding. The fluorocarbon is introduced into the mould
along with the raw-unvulcanized rubber compound and gets moulded
and vulcanised simultaneously with the rubber so that the film is inserted
or recessed into the rubber.

4. TYPES OF RUBBER SEALS

4.1 The following are the most common types of rubber seals used on
gates:
a) Angle shaped seals
b) Flat/wedge
c) Music note seal:
i) solid bulb
ii) hollow bulb
d) Double stem or caisson seal
e) Double bulb seal

5. USES
5.1 Angle Sbaped Seals - These seals are moulded or extruded to the
shape required and the sealing effect is obtained partly due to initial
interference with the embeded sealing plate and partly due to the deflec-
tion under load. To ensure even tightening of seals and thus to avoid
waviness of the seal, brass spacer tubes may be used. This type of seal
Ss used on gates on the crests of dams and weirs ( see Fig. 1 ).

4 \
 --._-- ___

IS : 11855- 1986

eg
l’“t--

I_ R1
7 100

30
-4-t
’ L
--IA
l,okOI/
1
LlO

ANGLE SEAL TYPE -I ANGLE SEAL TYPE-II

All dimensions in millimetres.

NOTE- The dimensions of the seals shown in the figure may be taken as
indicative and nearest size seals as per moulds available with the manufacturers
may also be used.

FIG. 1 COMMONSIZES OF ANGLE SHAPEDSEALS

5.2 Flat/Wedge Seals - These seals are used generally as bottom seals
for all types of gates and they seal against bottom sealing plate. They
require high initial compression loading for proper seating ( see Fig. 2 ).
5.2.1 The projection of bottom wedge seal shall vary from 2 to 5 mm
depending upon the requirement and type of installation at the discretion
of the designer.
5.3 Music Note Seal - Common sizes and the arrangement of music
note seal over the seal base plate are shown in Fig. 3 and 4.
53.1 The initial interference of music note type seal shall vary from
2 to 5 mm depending upon the requirement and typeof its installation at
the discretion of the designer.

5
 .-q12TOlL~ t_r 6 r_

‘r r
+

---I2oI--

65
100
75

-4li
I_
10
R3
,1
i-
B L -
.1 ._R6 TO fj7
$6 I-

All dimensions in millimetres.

NoTE-T~~ dimensions of the seals shown in the figure may be taken as
indicative and nearest size seals as per moulds available with the manufacturers
may also be used.
[FIG. 2 COMMON SIZESOF FLAT SEALS

$iO,LlO BULB SEAL

qi!!&-: HOLLOW BULB SEAL

Sl No Description J D d t
_---
1. Solid and Hollow 57 22 10 8

2. do 100 44 25 14

3. do 125 44 25 14

FOG. 3 COMMONSIZESOF MUSIC NOTE SEALS

6
 IS : ll@S - 1986

PRESSURE

PRESSURE
COMPRESSION SEALtRECOMMENDED) COMPRESSION SEAL
(NOT RECOMMENDED)

LEAKAGE PATH ALONG FLOW

(RECOMMENDED)

LEAKAGE PATH
PERPENDICULAR TO STEM
(NOT RECOMMENDED)

FIG. 4 ARRANGEMENTOF SEALS OVER SEAL BASE PLATE

5.3.2 The music note seal is generally recommended to be used on

gates operated for head up to 30 metres.
5.3.3 The hollow bulb music note seal is recommended for gates
operated at low head up to 15 metres.
5.3.4 A solid bulb music note seal is recommended for gates operated
at medium head, that is at a head of wa:er exceeding 15 m but less than
30 m.
5.4 Double Stem or Caisson Seal - This type of seal is used for heads
exceeding 30 m. The sizes are shown in Fig. 5. The sealing will be
obtained due to interference of water pressure between the seal seat and
seal and also behind the seal in space between the seal base plates.

7
IS :11855-1986

SOLID DOUBLE STEM SEAL

R29-
t
5o1
IL

it

c HOLLOW DOUBLE STEM SEAL

SOLID DOUBLE STEM SEAL
TYPE III

;R22
-70 -

SOLID DOUBLE STEM WITH SOLID DOUBLE STEM WITH

BULBS AND ENDS TYPE-I BULBS AT.ENDS TYPE-II
Alldimensions in millimetres.
NOTE - The dimensions of seals shown in the figure may be taken as
indicative and nearest size seals as per moulds available with the manufactureIs
may also be used.
FIG.5 COMMON SIZES OFDOUBLESTEM SEALS

8
 -_....___ --...- - ---. -_~ _ ..__.

IS:11855- 1986

5.4.1 The sealing bulb should rproject 6 mm beyond the face of the
clamps. The initial interference of 2 to 5 mm between the plane of the
sealing bulb and sealing face of the seal seat is usually provided.

5.4.2 These seals may be used as top, bottom and side seals either by
using them with water pressure acting behind them which is withdrawn
before the gate is moved to reduce/eliminate friction load or they may
be used cladded with metal or fluorocarbon film to achieve the same
purpose. On heavy gates such seals may be well used as bottom seals
where enough mechanical compression becomes availab!e to make a good
seal.
5.5 Double Bulb Seal - These type of seals are used where the gate is
required to seal from either upstream or downstream side. These are
normally used for installation such as lock gates ( see Fig. 6 >.

6. FORCE ON SEALS DUE TO INTERFERENCE AND

DEFLECTION
6.1 An idea of the forces likely to develop in the seal due to compression
on account of interference and due to deflection is indicated in the
,curves shown in Fig. 7 and 8 for the guidance of designer.

DOUBLE BULB SEAL

All dimensions in millimetres.

NOTE - The dimensions of seals shown in the figure may be taken as

indicative and nearest size seals as per moulds available with the manufacturers
may also be used.

FIG. 6 COMMON SIZE OF DOUBLE BULB SEAL

9
r _ _._ ___ -___ ~-----

IS : 11855- 1986

70mm SOLID BULB

-I 2.5 i- 57mm SOLID BULB

a
z
W--I
L5mm SOLID BULB
r$ 2.c ,-
r,”
00
;: 1.5
_.J-
W--.
tn
izip
n i7mm HOLLOW
1-o (Cp 25mm) BULB
W

if?
0.5
;5mm HOLLOW
+25mm) BULB

0 k
u PIJ &U 6.0 8.0 10.0
COMPRESSION DUE TO INITIAL
INTERFERENCE d’

NOTE 1 - The chart will serve as a guide for calculation of approximate loads
required to compress the bulb portion of seals in contemplated installations.
These values shall be used as an approximation only because of time effect OF
ageing and repeated compression cycles of the rubber will influence the
results.
NOTE 2 - The information given in the chart is based upon tests.
FIG. 7 FORCES DEVELOPED DUE TO COMPRESSION

10
 IS :11855- 1986

LOAD REQUIRED dN A SEAL STEM TO .

PRODUCE A GIVEN AMOUNT OF
, DEFLECTION(X)

L B-SOLID LINE;lLmm
B-BROKEN LINE -19mm
B-DOTTED LINE-25mm

DEFLECTION, x IN mm

FIG; 8 FORCES DEVELOPED DUE TO DEFLECTION

7. FRICTION OF SEALS

7.1 The friction of seals shall be in accordance with Appendix F of

IS : 5620-1985*.
7.2 The area of loading to determine the frictional load on the seals
shall be as under:
a) Caisson Seal - The area ( B X length ) acted upon by water
pressure behind the seal ( see Fig. 7 ).
b) Music Note Seal - The projected area ( A X length ) of the
seal up to the centre of the bulb ( see Fig. 8 ).

*Recommendations for structural design criteria for design of low head slide
gates ( second revision ).

11
IS-: 11855- 1986

3. CLADDED SEALS
8.1 Rubber seals are metal cladded to reduce frictional forces.
8.2 These seals are less flexible than rubber seals. These seals are less
,effective to cover the deficiencies caused by misalignment in the embedded
metal of the gate or variations in the gate fabrication. To overcome the
drawback of reduced flexibility of fully cladded seals and to cover some
degree of misalignment of either the gate or embedded parts, cladding
*may be provided on portion of the seal as shown in Fig. 9.

3mm WIDE x 15mm HIGH

METAL CLADDING

All dimensions in millimetres.

FIG. 9 TYPICAL EDGE SLOTTING
'8.3Cladding of seals may be done with brass, bronze, stain!ess steel or
fluorocarbon. The fluorocarbon cladded seals have more flexibility and
a very low value of friction.
8.4 The normal thickness of cladding in case of cladded seals is 0 to
1’5 mm. For metal cladded seals ( bronze or steel ) and fluorocarbon
vary from 0’75 mm to 1’5 mm.
8.5 For metal cladded seals suitable tests shall be carried out such that
the seal shall not fail in adhesion between the rubber and the cladding.
The test shall ensure adhesion bond of 176 N/cm nidth of the seal for a
separation rate of 2’5 cm/minute.
8.6 The test shall ensure adhesion bond between the fluorocarbon and
rubber as 54 N/cm width of the seal for a separation rate of 5 cm/
minute.
8.7 The ends of seals to be joined at site shall be cut to square at places-
where they butt against the adjacent length. Rubber cementing compound
shall be applied at the meeting faces of the seals.
12
 ‘ZS : 11855- 19%

9. TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE OF SEALS

9.1 Adequate care shall be taken for proper packing of seals to avoid
damage in transport and storage.
9.2 The seals should not be allowed to come in contact with any sharp
edged or pointed objects or any abrasive surface that might cut or tear
the rubber.
9.3 Direct sunlight, oxygen and ozone effects the physical properties of
rubber and causes to ag: more quickly. Seals, therefore, should be stored
in a dark cool room.
(_ 9.4 It is suggested to leave the seals in the original packing lining on a
flat surface, however, the seal shall be unrolled and kept, in a straight
position on a flat surface at least 48 hours before insialliog it.

13
c . -_-

BNTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ( SI UNITS )

Base Units
Quantity Unit Symbol
Length metre m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second S

Electric current ampere A

Thermodynamic kelvin K
temperature
Luminous intensity candela cd
Amount of substance mole mol

Supplementary Units
Quantity Unit Symbol
Plane angle radian rad
Solid angle steradian sr

Derived Units

Quantity Unit Symbol Definition

Force newton N 1N = 1 kg.m/s*
Energy joule J 1J = 1 N.m
Power watt W 1w = 1 J/s
Flux weber Wb 1 Wb = 1 V.S
Flux density tesla T 1T = 1 Wb/m’
Frequency hertz HZ 1 Hz = 1 c/s(s-1)
Electric conductance siemens S 1s = 1 A/V
Electromotive force volt V 1v = 1 W/A
Pressure, stress Pascal Pa 1 Pa = 1 N/m*