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DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A RUBBER "DUCK BILL" TIDE GATE
Citation:
Freeman, P., A. Forndran, AND R. Field. DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A RUBBER "DUCK BILL" TIDE GATE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-89/020 (NTIS PB89188379).
Description:
A unique 54 in. diameter "duckbill" rubber tide gate (RTG) was designed, fabricated, and installed in a typical New York City tide gate chamber. The operation of the RTG was observed over two years. The RTG was very effective in preventing the inflow of tidal waters and generally showed equal or improved performance compared to a typical flap gate. Hydraulically, the RTG was supposed to open to release storm flows at a positive difference in upstream head of 6 in. and to remain closed preventing inflow at a downstream positive head up to 8 ft. during high tide. Minor inflow was observed when debris was introduced into the RTG, and capability of self?cleaning was exhibited. Inflow would be significantly greater if similar size debris was lodged in the conventional flap?type gate. The maintenance crews observed no incident where the manual removal of debris was required. The existing chamber required minor modifications for the installation of the RTG. The method of adapting the RTG to an existing tide gate frame is critical to ensuring the reliability of the installation. The RTG was exposed on occasions to gale force winds and heavy rainfall during the two years of operation in New York City.